County: Mayo Site name: Derrylea 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 16E0608
Author: Leo Morahan
Site type: Fulacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 499049m, N 786723m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.820211, -9.533190
During testing of the N59 Barleyhill to Kilmeena Road Project in 2016 a burnt mound spread was identified in the south-west corner of Derrylea townland. The site was designated Derrylea 1 and was subsequently excavated. The burnt mound spread was sub-rectangular in plan with maximum overall dimensions of 10m north-south by 8.5m and stood 0.68m high above field level (along south). A hollow near the centre of the mound overlay an earth-cut trough with associated post-holes. The trough was oval-shaped in plan and consisted of an earth-cut pit measuring 3m east-west by 1.7m and from 0.4-0.5m deep. The sides were fairly steeply sloped, stepped to the west, while the base of the pit was flat. One preserved timber from within the trough may be indicative that it was lined but there was not enough evidence to elaborate further. Soil and environmental samples were taken from site. Radiocarbon analysis of any charcoal present should provide a date range for the use of this site.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
