Crannog in Grantstown

Not marked on the 1841 or 1908 editions of the OS 6-inch maps. Revealed in 1860 when lowering the water-level of Grantstown Lough. It is defined by pointed stakes. Further stakes, grooved and nailed together, were laid horizontally across the center. Finds included an iron clasp, two nails with large heads, an arrow or spear of charred wood, a polished piece of bone, a large amount of animal bones and charred timer, a lump of gypsum and a rude box containing two small bones (Wood-Martin 1886, 208). The remains of this crannog (approx. dims. 13m N-S ; 12m E-W) can be seen clearly on aerial photographs which show this island located on Granstown Lake, 44m northeast of the shoreline (OSI aerial photos 2005-). A small notch on the west side of the island may be a small jetty or place to land a boat. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007