Fulacht fia in Tomies West

In an area of scrub on the flood-plain of the River Laune, c. 100m S of the river and c. 400m W of Lough Leane. Large quantities of burnt material, consistent with a fulacht fia, were removed by a mechanical digger from an area (diam. c. 6m) during extensive drainage works in the late 1990s. A large wooden artefact (L 4.8m; max. Wth 0.95m) with square ends and four handles on its underside, constructed from the hollowed out trunk of an oak tree, was recovered from the fulacht fia area where it had been used as a trough. The primary function of this artefact has not been determined though its use as a boat has been refuted and the possibility that it was originally a coffin has been suggested. It has been dendrochronologically dated to 1471±9 BC. (Dunne and Doolin 2001, 21-3) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011