Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

Reference to a large quantity of human remains found in a field not far from Ballymaddock Castle (LA013-070----); thought to represent a battle site (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 276). Unlocated cairn (LA013-070001-) containing human burials within townland, described by Roe as a carn containing human bones, now destroyed which were burnt by the local youths in the May first (H. Roe, A record of archaeological discovery, 3). Described in the 'History of Queens County' as in an adjoining field to a rath in Ballymaddock there is 'a sort of elevation, having some disjointed stones on the summit, is to be seen, and around the cone, in a very regular circle, the grass always partakes of a similar dark colour, about the months of June and July. This is thought to have been a place of interment, and the upper surface somewhat resembles a dilapidated cairn.' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, p. 276). (Sweetman et al. 1995, no. 891, p. 100)

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 17 December 2007

References

O'Hanlon, Rev. J. and O'Leary, Rev. E. 1907 (Reprint 1981) History of the Queen's county, vol. 1. Kilkenny. Roberts Books Ltd.

Sweetman, D., Alcock, O and Moran, B. 1995 Archaeological inventory of county Laois. Dublin. Stationery Office.