Road - class 2 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in flat bog with good views in all directions. Discovered in 1960 and recorded by Rynne (1965a, 138-44) who described the togher as a trackway (TN042-039001) orientated on a SW-NE direction consisting of roughly hewn planks laid transversely across runners running parallel to the track. The transverse planks had square holes in their ends which accommodated long pegs (L 50cm) which anchored the planks to the track. The planks used were identified as oak, while the runners were of oak, cherry or blackthorn and probably alder while the pegs were of ash and willow-poplar. A Late Bronze Age leaf-shaped sword was discovered between the timbers of the exposed togher in 1990 (Cherry et al. 1991, 52). This togher, identified for a length of 593m, was being destroyed by peat milling when inspected by the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit (UCD) in 1995.
Recorded by ADS in 2006 and described as a 'plank trackway was visible on the field surface at three sightings across the northern corner of Littleton Bog, 400m south of TS-LTN001e—h. The trackway was orientated east—west and was composed of transverse planks interspersed with squared pegs. It was not possible to ascertain the full composition of the trackway, as it had been extensively damaged by machinery, and it appeared that only the lower levels of the structure were present at the time of recording. TS-LTNP002a, 223198,158678, Width 20m, Depth unknown This sighting was located at the eastern end of the trackway and was exposed on the field surface. It was composed of several small plank-like timbers that were transversely laid and squared pegs. The planks measured 0.6 to 1.2m in length and 0.1-0.25m in width. The squared pegs measured 0.05m by 0.05m. The peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum-rich peat with moderate amounts of Eriophorurn, woody material and ericaceous remains' (Whttaker 2006, 62-3). The trackway was dated to 1740-1420 BC (Whitaker 2006, 62).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 17 August 2012

References

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 Unpublished report, DOEHLG, National Monuments Service.