Fulacht fia in Coolroe

Located in poorly drained rush-grown pasture. Ground falls away gradually to S to the Robe River. This fulacht fia was fully excavated (98E0389) in 1998 in advance of the construction by Mayo County Council of a sewage treatment works at this location (Gillespie 1998, no. 484). It consisted of a roughly oval mound (19m x 9m; D 0.6m) of heat-shattered stone in a matrix of charcoal stained, black silty clay. The mound incorporated a rectangular trough (1.9m x 1.3m; D 0.2m), and a roughly circular pit/trough (diam. 0.9-0.95m; D 0.26m). Another possible rectangular trough, less clearly defined, was also found. Associated finds included several struck chert flakes, one flint end-scarper, and fragments of antler and bone. Two other fulachtai fia (MA111-094002-; MA111-094003-) were located a few meters to E, and an area of prehistoric activity (MA111-094004-) was located c. 80m to W. (Gillespie 1998, no. 484) Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 28 May 2020 References: Gillespie, R. 1998 1998:484 Coolroe, Mayo. Excavations.ie Database of Irish Excavation Reports