Road - unclassified togher

The National Monuments Service's description

A togher (L c. 495m), running E-W, was discovered in 1958 during turf-cutting and excavated by Rynne (NMI file). It was constructed of roughly parallel, heavy longitudinal timbers (diam. 0.1-0.15m), 2m apart. Transverse planks were laid over them and held in place by pegs or stakes. There was a layer of stones and sandy gravel in the centre.

A peatland survey carried out in 2006 by Archaeological Development Services recorded a togher (TN030-047----) measuring in ‘width 0.28–3.62m, depth 0.12m, length 63m and dated to 1033±9bc’ (Whitaker 2006, 140). Described by Whitaker (2006, 140) as ‘this site was a poorly preserved transverse plank trackway. The upper transverse elements were supported by longitudinally laid brushwood and roundwood elements. Pegs were recorded in three of the sightings. It is possible that this site is the western extent of the site recorded in the RMP as LA033-015---- and that site TN-TPY002, to the east, also forms part of the RMP site’. According to Whitaker (2006, 140) 'it is possible that this site represents the eastern extent of the longer single plank trackway recorded as TN-TPY002a–c (TN030-046----), which was dendrochronologically dated to 1190–820bc and that both formed part of the site recorded in the RMP as LA033-015----, which is no longer visible owing to that part of the bog being very overgrown'.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 19 August 2012

References

Whitaker, J. 2007 Peatland Survey 2006 Littleton Group of Bogs, Counties Tipperary, Kilkenny and Laois. Unpublished report, DOEHLG, National Monuments Service.