2020:723 - Leggatinty 2, Roscommon

Leggatinty 2 comprised six cremation pits with overlying remnants of a demolished vernacular structure, 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).

A structure was highlighted during the Environmental Impact Assessment (Roughan & O’Donovan-AECOM 2001) and subsurface remains for this were later identified during Stage (i)a Test Excavations, carried out by AMS under Ministerial Direction (Direction No. A077, Registration No. E5070; Hardy 2021). During Stage (iii) Excavation Services six cremation pits unrelated to the structure were also identified. The on-site Stage (iii) Excavation Services at Leggatinty 2 were undertaken by AMS between 23 September and 1 October 2020.

Six pits were recorded in the north-western area of the site ranging in size from 0.6m by 0.56m by 0.15m to 0.2m by 0.17m by 0.03m. Each pit contained only a single fill containing cremated bone and charcoal, although one pit also produced two chert flakes and hazelnut shells. The six pits produced quantities of cremated bone varying in weight from a minimum of 2.93g to a maximum of 1,057g, with two producing bones from all regions of the body. Samples of cremated limb bones from two of the pits returned Early to Middle Bronze Age dates of 2009–1778 cal. BC (UBA-47784; 3558±19BP) and 1882–1747 cal. BC (UBA-47783; 3491±19BP). Charcoal from the cremation pits was dominated by oak, though hazel, ash, alder and willow were also identified.

The remains of the demolished vernacular structure comprised two perpendicular walls located in the north-eastern area of the site. The first wall was orientated north-east/south-west and measured 3.5m by 0.45m, with the second wall measuring 3.25m by 0.3m and orientated north-west/south-east. A large cornerstone measuring 0.45m by 0.22m was recorded where the walls met. A cobbled surface measuring 3.1m in width ran northwest from the first wall for approximately 10m. A third wall, measuring 4.25m by 0.35m, was located southwest of this structure and a fourth wall was located in the southern area of the site and measured 22m by 3m. A localised area of cobbling was recorded to the west of, and partly abutting, this. It measured 5m north–south by 1.8m and may represent the collapsed remains of wall four.

A stone-built drain, measuring 11.25m by 0.5–0.6m and 0.4m deep, was orientated north-west/south-east and was constructed of substantial cut block side walls and flat capstones. Post-medieval pottery was recovered from this drain. An extensive cobbled area measuring 18m south-east/northwest by 7.5m partially overlay this feature. Two spreads were partially overlying this cobbled surface, although these may have been mixed-up topsoil due to agricultural activity.

Historical records suggest the site had been inhabited as early as the mid-eighteenth century, although habitation may have extended into earlier periods. The dwelling was indicated on the first-edition six-inch Ordnance Survey (OS) map (1838), but not on the 25-inch OS map (1914), suggesting it had been demolished in the post-Famine period. John Davies was recorded as resident at the site according to Griffith’s Valuation (1857–58); however, he was most likely actually living at his second holding, which contained a more conveniently located dwelling.

A total of 139 finds were recovered from the site including 89 iron objects; three copper-alloy objects; eight lithic artefacts; 228 pieces of nineteenth-century glass bottles and vases; 858 sherds of mostly nineteenth-century pottery; 165 fragments of clay tobacco pipe bowls and stems; a child’s leather shoe; a fragment from a slate pencil; two glass beads, a ceramic bead and glass fragments likely from a glass bead; and cremated human remains. A selection of the post-medieval finds has been recommended for photography, illustration and retention. All lithics and cremated human bone will be retained. The remainder of the assemblage is intended, subject to the approval of the NMI, for disposal.

References

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.

Roughan and O’Donovan-AECOM. 2017. N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Roscommon: TII and Roscommon National Road Design Office. Available at: https://www.pleanala.ie/publicaccess/EIAR-NIS/300493/Volume%202B%20EIAR%20Chapter%2011-19/00-EIAR%20(1).pdf [Accessed 29 January 2021].

31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare