2018:359 - Dysert Oenghusa, Limerick

Monitoring, and subsequent excavation, was carried out between 10 September and 15 November 2018. This work examined the line of a proposed boundary fence surrounding the upstanding remains of Dysert Oenghusa round tower and church, in Carrigeen, Croom, Co. Limerick. The site, LI030-018004, is a National Monument (No. 83). The works were undertaken under an extension of Consent C436, and the issue of extension to licence E4923, following testing done in 2017 (summary 2017:158). The installation of a durable boundary fence necessitated the insertion of a foundation plinth at north-east, north, west and south, while 11 new upright posts would form the roadside boundary at south-east. The depth of the foundation was required to 0.3m below current ground level.
Although disarticulated human skeletal remains were found in all trenches, the extent of shallow in situ burials was restricted to the east, north and south parts of the site. Beneath the topsoil layer archaeological features were noted in the western and northern trenches. These potential archaeological deposits were not excavated but notable artefactual evidence was recovered from the topsoil above them. These artefacts include a bone fragment with incised decoration (E4923:13:1), a fragment of a sharpening wheel stone (E4923:4:4) and two sherds of late medieval pottery (E4923:4:2/3). Twelve burials were partially exposed, 8 along the northern boundary and 4 potential burials along the southern boundary. Those on the northern boundary were adequately protected and remain in situ while the four burials at south were excavated due to the shallowness of the remains (e.g. 0.16m).
The westernmost burial on the southern boundary consisted of an incomplete juvenile (SK201), truncated mid-torso by another burial. The orientated of the burial, north-east/south-west, was likely dictated by the surrounding bedrock. Initial examination suggests an age-at-death of approximately 7 years. This had been truncated by the burial of a 1-3 month old infant (SK213). The complete remains of this skeleton were recovered and its north-north-east/south-south-west orientation was likely due to the surround bedrock. Further east, intact adult male skulls and associated cervical vertebrae and long bones (SK203) were found to be disarticulated but did overlay an in situ coffined burial of a juvenile (SK214). The latter was not excavated but preserved and protected in situ. Finally, furthest east along the southern boundary was another intact adult skull with associated long bones (SK204). While disarticulated, it covered a possible in situ burial, orientated east-west, at just 0.27m below ground level (SK215). This was protected in situ.
This phase of monitoring and excavation provides us with insight into the extent of the burial ground surrounding the church and round tower, but also indicates the survival of subsurface archaeological deposits, particularly to the west. Post-excavation analysis will examine this information alongside that collected in excavations in 2014/2015 (C436 and licence number E4472) and attempt to establish a chronology of the burials surrounding the round tower and those to the south of the church.

Munster Archaeology, Upper Kilmoney Rd. Carrigaline, Co. Cork