2023:764 - Bracklone, Laois
County: Laois
Site name: Bracklone
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 23E0903
Author: Alan Hawkes (for Maurice F. Hurley)
Author/Organisation Address: 6 Endsleigh Estate, Carrigaline, Cork
Site type: Testing
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 600471m, N 576795m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.943254, -7.993149
An archaeological assessment, including test-trenching was undertaken in response to a request for Further Information issued by Laois County Council. The site is located in the townland of Bracklone which is part of the parish of Lea and Barony of Portnahinch. The site is located c.1.2km east of Portarlington and c. 6km west of Monasterevin.
Of the eleven test-trenches, two contained evidence for burning in the form of charcoal and oxidised silt deposits. The stratigraphic position of one area of burning (F1) uncovered in Trench 1 suggests it is likely to be of modern origin, possibly relating to scrub burning. A small group of truncated and charred stakes were found in Trench 8. The stakes were rectangular in section and tightly grouped. The function of the stakes is unclear but the form of the stakes and the lack of associated archaeological features and artefacts suggest they are of relatively modern date.
The other features identified across the trenches correspond to agricultural furrows, drains and relict field boundaries (F3-13, F14-24, and F26-27) of early modern date.