County: Donegal Site name: Millbrae, Stranorlar
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 20E0400
Author: Steven McGlade
Site type: Fulacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 615315m, N 894945m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.802201, -7.761808
A burnt spread representing a fulacht fiadh was excavated on the northern side of the River Finn in advance of the construction of a school in August 2020. The spread measured 17.8m by 15m and ranged from 0.15-0.2m in depth, giving it a capacity of c. 48m3. It was densely concreted with manganese in places.
The spread sealed a number of features including a sub-rectangular trough. A partial stone lining was present in two locations along the sides of the trough, possibly to protect the edge from collapse. A single stake-hole within the trough may indicate the use of a non-permanent or removable lining.
Post-holes and pits were also uncovered in the vicinity of the trough. These were all quite eroded and shallow, having been compressed by the weight of the spread and it is possible cut features identified as pits are the bases of post-holes. In four cases there were paired pits and posts. In these cases the pits may be the remains of replaced posts. If the cut features represent uprights it is possible to suggest the outline of a structure associated with the fulacht trough. The hypothetical structure measured c.3-5m by 4.8m with an outlying post to the west suggesting a porch, giving a total length of 8m. The trough extends partially outside the line of the hypothetical structure, possibly for the insertion of heated stones from the exterior. This may imply a light-weight structure functioning as a sweathouse, or simply a shelter.
A second hypothesis suggests the uprights define a workspace to the west of the trough. A centrally placed pit may have served as a roasting pit. In this interpretation the smaller post-holes near the trough may have supported light-weight structures such as a rack, while the larger post-holes may have formed a fence-line or have been free-standing posts, defining access to the fulacht fiadh.
A small quantity of bone, both burnt and unburnt, retrieved during the excavation indicated that some consumption or processing of meat was taking place at the site. A large granite grinding stone was also retrieved. This may be the upper stone of a quern stone, suggesting grain processing was taking place nearby. Equally it may be a rubbing stone used in the preparation of textiles, hides or leather. Post-excavation analysis is on-going.
Archaeology Plan, 32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2
