Metalworking site

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, immediately N of road that marks townland boundary with Goat Island and 90m NE of townland boundary with Uregare. Metalworking site identified during monitoring of topsoil-stripping on the Bord Gáis Éireann Pipeline to the West project (Section 3: Gort to Goatisland) and excavated by Emmet Byrnes (Licence 02E0368) the results of which were summarised as follows; ‘The fifth phase of activity was associated with metalworking. In an area to the north of the small subrectangular enclosure, over sixteen oval pits were excavated. They measured 0.2–0.8m in diameter and had rounded bases, in places partly oxidised. Small fragments of slag were recovered from the fill of several of them, and one produced an intact furnace base. A hearth, two areas of cobbling and a series of post- and stake-holes were also associated with these features’ (Byrnes 2004, 301). Monument has been fully excavated and is not visible on aerial images.

Compiled by: Fiona Rooney

Date of upload: 22 May 2021

References

Byrnes, E. 2004 Ballygrennan; Medieval settlement. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2002: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 301, No. 1096. Bray. Wordwell.