Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On a S-facing slope, in hilly terrain with extensive views to the S and E, but restricted views due to higher ground to the W and NW (Clark and Long 2008, 5, 25). Archaeological excavations were carried out in advance of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick dual carriageway (Excavation Licence number E002495). The NE portion of a sub-circular double-ditched enclosure (estimated int. diam. c. 32m; estimated max. diam. c. 40m) was uncovered, the fosses being c. 8m apart (ibid. 10; Dowling 2014, 161). It consists of an inner fosse (av. D 1.43m; av. Wth 2.92m) and shallower outer fosse (av. D 0.86m; av. Wth 1.59m) (ibid. 10-11). It had a causeway entrance (Wth c. 2.4m) in the E sector, on a gentle downward slope facing the Kilmastulla River (ibid.) Two substantial postholes inside the causeway and through the external fosse were interpreted as evidence of timber supports for a sturdy gate structure (ibid. 25). The remains of an unlined figure-of-eight corn-drying kiln was located between the two enclosing fosses on the NW sector of the enclosure (ibid. 27).
Radiocarbon dates of AD 258-502 and AD 133-322 were obtained from charcoal found in the lowermost fills of the inner and outer fosses respectively, placing the earliest phase of the enclosure in the Iron Age (Dowling 2014, 161). Radiocarbon dates for the upper fills of the outer fosse, and from other features within the enclosure, indicate that the enclosure continued in use into the 8th or 9th century (ibid.).

See attached:
TN025-098----_01 Composite image of excavation in Dowling 2014, 161

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 24 May 2022

References

Clark, L. and Long, P. 2008 N7 Nenagh to Limerick high quality dual carriageway. Archaeological resolution project. Killalane Site 2, E2495, Co. Tipperary. Unpublished preliminary excavation report. Headland Archaeology Ltd.

Dowling, G. 2014 Landscape and settlement in late Iron Age Ireland: some emerging trends. In late Iron Age and ‘Roman’ Ireland, Discovery Programme Reports: 8. Dublin. Wordwell.