Road - class 3 togher

The National Monuments Service's description

This site is located in the industrial peatlands of Toar Bog. The 2013 Re-assessment Peatland Survey recorded three sightings as a roundwood and brushwood togher, thought to be the same as that previously recorded as WM-PBY235a–e during the 2000 Peatland Survey, and subsequently excavated at three sightings during the 2006 BnM Mitigation season under licence 06E0524. Sighting A comprised of a random sparse spread of scattered brushwood fragments (max. L0.24m, Diam. 0.01-0.04m) exposed on the field surface. Sighting B was better preserved and consisted of NE-SW orientated longitudinally laid elements (max. L1.1m, Diam. 0.01-0.05m) that were closely placed. Sighting C, although machine damaged, was the best-preserved sighting of this trackway. It was composed of closely placed NE-SW orientated roundwood and brushwood elements (max. L1.5m, Diam. 0.01-0.09m). The peat was moderately humified and Sphagnum-rich with Eriophorum and Calluna inclusions (Whitaker 2014). A fragment of hazel was chosen for AMS dating and returned a result of cal. AD 1283–1392 (UBA 26618).

Compiled by: Jane Whitaker, Femke Vleeshouwer

Date of upload: 03/03/2020

References

Whitaker, J. 2007 Excavations carried out in Toar Bog, Co. Westmeath. Unpublished report Archaeological Development Services for Bord na Móna.

Whitaker, J. 2017 Final Excavation Report, Toar, Co. Westmeath (14E0278–14E0296). Unpublished report prepared by IAC Ltd submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

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 Unpublished report prepared by ADS for Bord na Móna.