County: Mayo Site name: Conrea 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 16E0432
Author: Leo Morahan
Site type: Possible fuacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 498364m, N 787447m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.826581, -9.543828
Two burnt spreads were identified during testing along the route of the N59 Barleyhill to Kilmeena Road Project. Excavation was undertaken in 2016. The first burnt stone spread had overall dimensions of 10m east-west by 3m, including 0.25m which extended into the baulk at the northern end of the site. It formed a band 0.4m thick and overlay black natural peat throughout, while the peat extended for 0.75m beneath it. Small amounts of wood from the burnt spread were not associated with a cooking area but were naturally occurring bog oak and of no significance. There was no evidence of a trough or pits and no finds were recovered from this spread. Soil and environmental samples were taken from the spread and radiocarbon analysis of any charcoal present should provide a date range for the use of this site.
A second spread of non-compacted burnt stone and ash with dimensions of 10m east-west by 4m was located close by. Upon excavation, it became clear that this was redeposited fulacht fiadh material which had been dug into and moved from its original setting. It most likely occurred when the nearby stream to the north and north-east was dredged and realigned. No finds were recovered from this spread.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
