Enclosure in Killaderry

Possible large enclosure indicated by field fences on aerial photo (GSI, N540/541). Not visible at ground level. Townland name may indicate early ecclesiastical site. Trial trenching was carried out by Heather King under licence no. 94E038 in March 1994 at Killaderry, Daingean, Co. Offaly, prior to an application being made to Offaly County Council for permission to build a house on the site of a possible enclosure. The proposed site was within the south-west quadrant of the enclosure which is situated on rising ground above the 300' contour. The northern half of the enclosure had recently been ploughed while the southern half was in grass. A brief examination of the ploughed section revealed nothing but modern finds. Five trenches were opened in the south-west sector of the enclosure and revealed a uniform soil stratigraphy of brown soil and red earth above natural yellow gravelly clay. One of these trenches was opened adjacent to the road, which encircled the site on the south, to ascertain if there was any trace of a bank or ditch. No archaeological features or finds were recovered in the trial trenches and while it is possible that the site was enclosed by a bank with a possible external ditch no evidence for either were recovered in the south-west sector. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011