County: Limerick Site name: Caherconlish
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 23E0590
Author: Colum Hardy
Site type: Pit, charcoal deposit & linear features
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 567715m, N 649288m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.593904, -8.476510
A programme of archaeological excavation and monitoring was undertaken for a proposed school extension at Caherconlish National School, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick between 27–29 November 2023. This work was undertaken to investigate two pits and three linear features uncovered during archaeological testing at the proposed development site in July 2023 (Henry 2023).
One pit of unknown date, four linear ditches of probable post-medieval date and a probable nineteenth-century charcoal deposit were recorded. The pit measured 1m x 0.76m and was 0.07m deep and contained a single fill consisting of a dark grey-brown silty clay with occasional charcoal flecks and three–four possible burnt bone fragments. The charcoal deposit measured 2.6m x 1.5m and was 0.07m deep. It consisted of a thin deposit of charcoal and dark brown-black silty clay with occasional burnt clay fragments. A fragment of a clay pipe stem was recorded from the fill. Four linear features were identified across the site measuring 5.4m x 0.77m and 0.3m, 7.2m x 0.8–0.9m and 0.25m, 8.5m x 1.17m and was 0.25m deep and 11.3m x 0.6–1.7m and 0.65m deep. These linear ditches are interpreted as post-medieval field boundaries.
Post-excavation analysis is currently underway with environmental and charcoal identification to be carried out along with C14 dating.
Reference:
Henry, M. 2023. Archaeological Impact Assessment of the Building of an Extension to Caherconlish National School, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick. Unpublished report for the Board of Management, Caherconlish National School.
c/o Archaeological Management Solutions, Fahy's Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare
