Embanked enclosure in Balregan

Wright describes and illustrates this, calling it site 'B', a 'Burying place or sort of family sepulchre' (1758, 7, pl. 1). No visible surface trace. Partially excavated in advance of the 'M1 Dundalk Western Bypass - Northern Link' (Excavation Licence No. 03E0157). An arc of two ditches (internal ditch: max. Wth 3m; max. D 1.9m; external ditch: max. Wth 2m; max. D 1.5m) on either side of an encompassing bank (Wth 5m) was uncovered. This arc represented c. 15% of a circular enclosure (estimated int. diam. c. 46m; ext. diam. 57m), the remaining part was preserved in-situ outside the road take. The remains of the bank consisted of a layer of water-rolled stones that is thought to have formed its foundation. A possible entrance way was identified in the S/SE. Over 1000 sherds of prehistoric pottery were found, over 500 of which came from the bank. A number of pits which contained sherds of burnt Neolithic pottery were discovered just outside the enclosure. The socket from a possible standing stone (LH007-001010-) and a barrow (LH007-001011-) were also discovered. (O'Donnchadha B. 2005; O'Donnchadha B. 2006, 324) References: O'Donnchadha B. 2005 Dundalk Western Bypass: Site 116: Balregan 1 Chainage 23.470 - 22.600 Post-Excavation assessment and updated project design on behalf of Louth County Council and the National Roads Authority, Licence Number 03E0157. Unpublished Report DAHG, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd. O'Donnchadha B. 2006 'Balregan Henge' in I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2003: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 324 (No. 1221). Bray. Wordwell Wright, T. 1758 Louthiana: or an introduction to the antiquities of Ireland. London. Thomas Payne. Compiled by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 23 November 2011