Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

On fairly flat ground in undulating terrain, in reclaimed pastureland, another possible enclosure (TS075-043001-) lies c. 40m to N. Enclosure identified as a roughly circular cropmark on aerial photograph (CUCAP July 1970 BD7 88). It is not visible at ground level. This site was partially excavated in 1999 prior to the selection of the final route for the proposed Cahir Eastern Relief Road (Henry 2000, 284). Excavation revealed a linear ditch (Wth 1.5m; D 0.5m) on the NE edge of the possible enclosure which contained some charcoal (ibid.). Two small circular features which contained large quantities of charcoal (ibid.). A possible post-hole was identified to the NW of the wide linear ditch (ibid.). Along the S edge and just outside the southern circumference of the enclosure, further features were uncovered including a curved ditch (Wth 0.75m wide; D 0.35m deep) containing charcoal and small quantities of fragmented animal bone (ibid.). By virtue of the location of this feature it was impossible to establish its extent or function (ibid.). The other area excavated was just outside the confines of the enclosure (ibid.). A deep ditch, again of unknown width and length, was uncovered (ibid.). There was a series of three fills, which sealed a wall (ibid.). The drystone wall, 0.35m wide, extended across the length of the trench. The wall overlay two primary fills in the deep cut (ibid.). It was not possible to conclusively establish relationships between the features uncovered during the testing and the two possible enclosures visible on the aerial photograph (ibid.).

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

References

Henry, M. 2000 Killemly, Cahir: Two enclosures. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1999: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 284. Bray. Wordwell.