Fulacht fia in Ballinrobe Demesne

In pasture on the western outskirts of Ballinrobe town, located on the E bank of the Bulkan River, a tributary of the River Robe. This fulachta fia was discovered and recorded in June and August 2016 during archaeological testing (16E0106) prior to a proposed development. There was no trace of the fulacht fia at ground surface. The test excavation revealed a horseshoe-shaped concentration (8m E−W and 3.5-5.5m N−S; D 0.1-0.3m) of heat-shattered rocks, burnt soil and charcoal fragments. A portion (0.8m NW−SE; 0.5m NE−SW) of a trough, indicated by the outline of its upper fill, was uncovered between the ‘arms’ of the mound, which open to the N. The trough fill consists of soil mixed with burnt and slightly burnt stones. It was not excavated and the structure of the trough itself was not uncovered. The fulacht fia is located at depth of 0.3-0.4m below the surface, and overlies a layer of grey clay. It was not fully excavated, and is preserved in situ. Another fulacht Fia (MA118-169----) is located 1.3m to the SW. (Crumlish, R. Unpublished report submitted to NMS) Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 1 February 2017