Road - class 1 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This site was located at the W edge of Cloonshannagh bog. It was initially recorded as a Class 2 togher in 2008, during the Archaeological Survey of Ireland Peatland Survey (Rohan 2009). It was recorded at 13 sightings (a-m) for a distance of 200m. In 2010 it was excavated in three cuttings which were located at the W extent of the togher at sightings ‘a’, ‘b’, and ‘c’ (Rohan & Whitaker 2013). The 2013 Re-assessment Survey carried out on behalf of BnM identified two previously unrecorded sightings at the E extent of the togher which were recorded as ‘n’ and ‘o’ which extended the length of the togher to 215m (Whitaker 2014). In 2015 the site was excavated again at sighting ‘i’ (Coughlan & Whitaker 2019).

The 2015 excavation (licence 15E0191) uncovered a togher consisting of multiple surfaces. The upper surface of the site was composed of transversely laid (N-S) heavy brushwood and roundwood. There were two distinct structures present placed immediately side by side.

The N structure represented the main body of the site. This part of the trackway consisted of brushwood and roundwood with pegs. The upper surface was 3.44-4.35m in width. Immediately underlying was a second layer of transverse elements forming a surface 2.5–4.2m in width. A third layer of transverse wood and pegs was uncovered in the W part of the cutting. It covered an area measuring 1.76m by 3.2m max. These elements appear to have been added to support and maintain the level surfaces above. Most elements and pegs found in this part of the site had toolmarked ends. The wood was in poor to moderate condition.
The S structure was composed of transversely laid roundwood and brushwood. It measured 2.2–2.77m in width and was delineated with pegs. The elements were laid one to two layers deep. They were irregularly shaped. Several elements and pegs had tool-marked ends or were worked.
Wood samples taken from this site were dominated by alder, ash and hazel. The worked wood samples were internally quite varied. The site was dated to cal. 766-539 BC (Coughlan & Whitaker 2019).

Compiled by: Ros O Maoldúin/Michael Moore, Edited by: Femke Vleeshouwer, 15 April 2020

Date of upload: 12th April, 2011

References

Coughlan, T & Whitaker, J 2019 Final excavation report Cloonshannagh Bog, Co Roscommon. Bord na Mona Peatland Archaeological Services 2014-2017. Unpublished report submitted to DOEHLG & BnM

Whitaker, J. 2014 Re‐assessment Peatland Survey 2013, Blackwater, Boora, Derrydreenagh, Mountdillon Group of Bogs, County Offaly, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon. Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.

Rohan, N, & Whitaker J. 2013 Preliminary Excavation Report on Excavations in Caul, Cloonmore and Cloonshannagh Townlands, Cloonshannagh Bog, Co Roscommon. Unpublished report submitted to DOEHLG & BNM.

Rohan, N. 2009 Peatland survey 2007 and 2008, Blackwater, Derryfadda, Coolnagun, Moutdillon group of bogs: counties Offaly, Galway, Longford, Westmeath and Roscommon. Ireland. Archaeological Development Services. Unpublished report, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.