Fulacht fia in Mayfield OR Ballynagalliagh

In 1998, archaeological monitoring of topsoil-stripping during the drainage phase of ancillary works relating to the Kildare Town Bypass in the area of the proposed Mayfield Interchange (part of the Monasterevin-Kildare Motorway Scheme N7) resulted in the identification of the site of a fulacht fia. Archaeological excavation (Breandán Ó Ríordáin, Licence No. 98E0288: www.excavations.ie) revealed a burnt area c. 30m square and 0.1-0.15m deep. Features uncovered included stake-holes, some charcoal and a small quantity of burnt limestone. The main feature of the site was a trough/pit exhibiting a 50-80mm-thick wood lining, which extended throughout half of the trough. Five bone fragments, three of them charred, were found in the fill of the pit. It is suggested that there were three periods of use of the pit as a trough. However, the dimensions and shallowness of stratigraphy suggest that the site was used over a short period. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 23 November 2011