County: Mayo Site name: Westport Demense 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 16E0279
Author: Donald Murphy
Site type: Possible charcoal-production pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 498971m, N 785812m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.812013, -9.534075
During testing of the N59 Barleyhill to Kilmeena Road Project in 2016 three archaeological features comprising large charcoal-filled pits were identified in Westport Demesne townland. The second of these pits was designated Westport Demesne 2 and was excavated under the testing licence. It was located 60m north of Westport Demesne 1. The pit measured 1.1m in width, 1.8m in length and was 0.2m in depth with a flat base. The pit was filled with charcoal similar to Westport Demesne 1, suggesting the possibility of it having been a charcoal-production pit or hearth or signal bonfire. There was no slag present to suggest it was a smithing hearth.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
