Crannog

The National Monuments Service's description

A small island in Ballinderry Lough excavated by Hencken in 1942. The site consisted of two superimposed occupation layers, the lower layer dating to the Late Bronze Age and the upper one to the Early Christian period. The Late Bronze Age evidence comprised of a number of small wicker huts (diam. 1-2.5m) and the oak plank foundations of a square shaped building (dims. 11.5m x 11.5m). This particular settlement was abandoned following a rise in the level of the lake. The Early Christian period habitation consisted of a palisade of stout posts (diam. 0.3m) reinforced by an inner row of smaller posts delimiting a circular area (diam. 35m) with a timber floor and hearth. A dugout canoe was found just inside the inner row of posts at the S edge of the timber floor. A later brushwood road was located to the SE of the crannog. (Hencken 1942, 1-84)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 May 2011

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 8/1932).