County: Wicklow Site name: Ballard
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0723
Author: Yvonne Whitty
Site type: Various
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 698062m, N 667526m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.749892, -6.547444
Four archaeological areas were excavated in advance of a housing development at Ballard, Shillelagh, Co. Wicklow. The archaeology was prehistoric in date, along with a post-medieval water reservoir tank linked to a 19th-century workhouse. Among the prehistoric findings, there was evidence of a single-use hearth surrounded by fourteen stake-holes and three post-holes, suggesting a possible windbreak. This hearth contained a Middle Bronze Age domestic pot (c. 1400-1200 BC) and animal bones. Additionally, three isolated features resembling small hearths, lacking associated post- or stake-holes, were discovered and, based on morphology, are believed to be of prehistoric origin. These three hearths were situated on low ground on a south-east-facing slope, while the windbreak area was positioned on higher ground with an elevated position. A water reservoir tank associated with the workhouse was also uncovered and was excavated.
Unit 10 Riverside Business Centre Tinahely Co. Wicklow
