Fulacht fia in Caherweelder

In a marshy low-lying area. On inspection in December 1982, this fulacht fia was defined by a well-preserved kidney-shaped mound (11.8m N-S; 8.1m E-W; H 0.8m) opening towards the E. Burnt stone and clay were evident where the grass cover had been removed. A modern E-W running drain ran to its S. It was subsequently fully excavated in 2008 as it was on the line of the proposed N18 Oranmore to Gort motorway. The following details are from the excavation report (https://excavations.ie/report/2008/Galway/0019542/ last accessed 28 November 2019): 'This classic kidney-shaped mound was located on the western fringes of a turlough. An area measuring c. 200m2 was desodded by hand to reveal the extent of the well-preserved mound. The mound measured 14m north–south by 10m and reached a maximum height of 1.1m above ground level. A possible trough was located 1.5m from the centre of the mound, partially underlying the north-east quadrant. It measured 2.15m east–west by 1.3m. A possible upcast mound was located immediately to the north of the trough. It measured 2m east–west by 0.95m.' Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 28 November 2019