County: Roscommon Site name: Turlaghnamaddy 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E5211
Author: Clare Mullins on belalf of Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS)
Site type: Brick kiln clamp
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 571428m, N 791866m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.875439, -8.434493
Turlaghnamaddy 1
Turlaghnamaddy 1 comprised the remnants of a post-medieval brick clamp excavated in advance of construction of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project in County Roscommon by Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) for Roscommon County Council (RCC) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The site was identified during Stage (i)a Standard Test Excavations carried out by AMS under Ministerial Direction (Direction No. A077, Registration No. E5247; Hardy 2021). The on-site Stage (iii) Excavation Services at Turlaghnamaddy 1 were undertaken on 10 December 2020.
The lowest layer, overlying the natural, was a pinkish brown/black silty clay deposit (C.5), interpreted as heat-affected subsoil. This was cut by an L-plan gully (C.6) consisting of an arm orientated west-northwest/east-southeast, with a perpendicular arm orientated north-northeast/south-southwest. The gully was filled by a black, charcoal-rich material (C.4), also found in discrete deposits elsewhere on the site (4.8m by 2.2m, 10.5m by 0.8m, and 7m by 2.5m). The gully and charcoal-rich material represent the remnants of linear fire-setting within the brick clamp where the fuel was placed for the firing of the camp. The uppermost layer (C.3) consisted of four discrete areas of fragmentary and broken red brick (6.3m by 2.4m, 2.5m by 2m, 8.6m by 0.8m and 1.5m by 1.3m). Traces of the brick stacks (c. 2.2m wide) orientated north-northeast/south-southwest could be identified within this layer.
No artefacts were recovered from the site. Three samples were recovered on site comprising two bulk soil samples and a sample of brick. Charred wood macro-remains were recovered from the flotation of the bulk soil samples. These samples were analysed by specialists who determined the bricks were likely made from locally sourced clay and fired at a temperature range between 900 and 1250°C. Analysis of the charcoal indicated that the principal fuel used was turf or coal with small quantities of hazel, perhaps serving as kindling.
The townland of Turlaghnamaddy borders the Frenchpark demesne, and the clamp was probably used to make brick for works at Frenchpark House or demesne more generally.
Reference:
Hardy, C. 2021. N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Stage (i)a, (i)b, (i)c Test Excavation, Stage (i)m Testing in Felled Forestry and Stage (i)f Townland Boundary Survey. Ministerial Direction No. A077, Registration No. E5070. Unpublished AMS report for TII and RCC.
31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co.Kildare
