Road - class 2 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

A peatland survey carried out in 2006 by Archaeological Development Services recorded a togher measuring in ‘width 0.32–2.88m, depth 0.11–0.49m, length 40m’ (Whitaker 2006, 32). Described by Whitaker (2006, 32) This togher was visible in drain faces and on the field surface across three fields. It was composed of longitudinally laid roundwood, which had additional brushwood at the central sighting (TN-BLG011b). It was orientated northwest–southeast and was well preserved, with the exception of the northernmost sighting (TN-BLG011b), where it had been badly damaged by machine activity.
TN-BLG011a, 219437, 152836, Width 0.93m, Depth 0.11m
This sighting was located in the drain face, 0.17m below the field surface at the southeastern end of the togher. It was composed of parallel longitudinal roundwood elements and one transverse brushwood. The elements were well preserved and the longitudinal roundwood were orientated northwest–southeast. The structure was quite densely laid, with 0.02 to 0.1m between elements. The diameter of the elements measured between 0.04 and 0.09m. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum peat with moderate Calluna inclusions. A single piece of wood was identified as ash.
TN-BLG0011b, 219443, 152856, Width 2.5m, Depth 0.08m
This sighting was located in the drain face, 0.4m below the field surface, and 15m northeast of TN-BLG011a. It was composed of longitudinal roundwood elements, similar in composition to those recorded at TN-BLG011a, which were orientated northwest–southeast. On the eastern side of the roundwood was a concentration of light brushwood orientated northeast–southwest at the base of the drain. The brushwood is notably different in composition and may be representative of a separate structure. All elements were in good condition. The roundwood and brushwood had average diameters, measuring 0.02m and 0.08m in diameter, respectively. The peat was composed of moderately humified pool moss, with patches of Eriophorum overlying the wood and Calluna below. Two pieces of wood were identified as ash and pine.
TN-BLG011c, 219443, 152856, Width 0.32m, Depth 0.05m
This sighting was located on the field surface at the northwestern end of the togher. It was composed of two longitudinal roundwood elements located 1.82m apart. They were orientated northeast–southwest and were in very poor condition. They measured 0.11m and 0.42m in length and 0.06m and 0.08m in diameter. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum peat with moderate Calluna and Eriophorum inclusions. A single piece of wood was identified as yew’.

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 20 August 2012

References

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