2016:575 - CLOONDEASH (1), Mayo

The site at Cloondeash 1 consisted of the remains of a burnt mound (F03), a trough (F04), and an associated pit (F07) that were exposed at a depth of 0.23m beneath the sod and topsoil. The burnt mound measured 10.5m by 7m, had a depth of 0.3m and consisted of heat-shattered stone and charcoal-rich silty clay. The trough was round in plan with a flat base and measured 1.65m by 1.23m by 0.27m in depth. A single piece of timber was located within the trough above the base. The pit was sub-rectangular and measured 1.78m by 0.56m and had a depth of 0.12m. A total of 7 soil and environmental samples were taken; 4 from the burnt mound, 1 sample each from the fill of the trough and fill of the pit and a timber sample F09. Radiocarbon analysis of any charcoal present should provide a date range for the use of this site. No finds were recovered from the archaeological features. Two other burnt mounds/possible fullachta fiadh were identified within 300–400m of this site also in Cloondeash townland.