2025:315 - Ballymahon, Longford

Excavations undertaken in Ballymahon followed on from a previous assesment (Licence No. 24E0929) which included archaeological testing. A spread of burnt material and four possible post-holes were uncovered. Recommended mitigation measures included the monitoring of groundworks and preservation by record (full excavation) of the recorded archaeological features.

Subsequent excavations uncovered a total of eighteen archaeological features  consisting of spreads of heat-affected material, post-holes, pits and a single stake-hole, which were characteristic of burnt mound activity. The features shared no stratigraphic relationship with two exceptions: a post-hole (C17) sealed by a spread of heat-affected material (C16) and three intercutting pits (C21, C26, C29). Among the latter two separate phases of activity were recorded. The first consisted of a large deep pit, C21, that retained water and possibly functioned as a water source or well with a ledge for access. The second phase was represented by pits (C26 and C29) that cut pit C21.

No definitive structural alignment or arrangement was discerned among the various pits, post- and stake-holes with the exception of some lines of features possibly representing minor constructs i.e. temporary wind breaks or supports.

No large spread of burnt material, a characteristic feature of burnt mounds, was recorded on site. However, four spreads of heat-affected material were recorded which may represent the truncated remains of a former burnt mound. This portion of the site was previously heavily disturbed in the past and the activities associated with this may have removed any former mound that existed. Monitoring of topsoil stripping was undertaken across the remainder of the site and uncovered nothing of archaeological significance.

Post-excavation works are ongoing at the time of writing and this post will be updated once completed.

Excavation Plan