Structure — peatland in Ballydaly

An extensive, discontinuous bed of mixed brushwood, twigs and occasional roundwoods in opposing drain faces (Wth 5.34m; D 0.3m). At least four clusters of wood can be discerned as well as numerous outlying pieces of worked wood. Towards the SE end of the spread, the level of the wood is lower and a number of sites may be present. Throughout the band, however, the brushwood is largely orientated NW-SE and is typically 2-3 pieces deep. A small number of roundwoods lie at right angles to these but a distinct structural composition cannot be distinguished. In places, the twigs appear to lie in beds around the heavier brushwood. Towards the centre of the spread but some 0.1m below the general level of the site, a concentration of light brushwood with a lesser twig component is noted and again, may constitute a separate site. In the opposing drain face, the quantity of wood appears to be much less significant. Numerous pieces have been cut to chisel points. A concentration of twigs towards the centre of the site consists predominantly of birch twigs with single specimens of hazel and willow identified. Amongst the brushwood, wood species include birch, oak, willow, alder, ash and Pomoideae. The site lies in well-humified Sphagnum peat with wood fragments. This is the most S site in a series of seven sites along a 34m long stretch in this drain face which includes SMR OF015-152---- to the NW. In the adjacent drain to the NE, a complex of sites, including SMR OF015-141----, SMR OF015-166---- and SMR OF015-167----, is noted and it is possible that these features are associated. Recorded by the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit (University College, Dublin) in 1996. The evidence is not sufficient to warrant its acceptance as the remains of an archaeological monument. The original survey description was compiled by the Irish Archaeological Wetland Unit (University College, Dublin). Assessed and revised by: Caimin O'Brien, Paul Walsh Date of upload: 23 May 2011