2026:185 - Lohercannan, Kerry
County: Kerry
Site name: Lohercannan
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 25E1141
Author: Katarzyna Labaj
Author/Organisation Address: 195 Shanakill, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Site type: Kilns, pits, stake-holes
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 481766m, N 614111m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.265974, -9.732230
Rescue excavation of archaeological features recorded within seven areas (Areas 1-7) of the proposed housing development at Lohercannan, Tralee, Co. Kerry was undertaken in February 2026. The archaeological features were identified during archaeological monitoring carried out in November and December 2025.
The development site, known as Cluain Láir (Phase 2), is located on gently sloping south-facing good quality pasture at the western limits of Tralee town.
The seven archaeological areas were fully excavated over two weeks in February 2026. Investigation of Area 7 revealed non-archaeological strata and in that context, it will not be included in the post-excavation analysis.
The excavated archaeological features comprised two kilns, eight pits, fifty-eight possible stake-holes, a modern spread, and a section of a field boundary within Area 6.
Fifteen samples, including animal bone, were recovered for post-excavation analysis. Artefacts recovered during the excavation comprised two lithic objects (a thumbnail scraper and a possible worked quartz/crystal fragment) and ten sherds of prehistoric pottery.