Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Lurgan (roscommon By.)

Discovered through archaeological test excavation in association with the ‘N5 Ballaghaderreen-Scramoge Road Project’ (Ministerial Direction No. A077; Registration No. E5131). On the W slope of a broad E-W ridge in rough pasture. (However, geophysical, LiDAR and archaeological data revealed that the entire area was subject to ploughing in recent antiquity: regular, parallel plough furrows orientated NW-SE). An upstanding ringfort (RO022-049----) lies c. 115m to the SW and an enclosure (RO022-170----) lies c. 190m to E. A ring-ditch (RO022-170001-), c. 160m to the E was also excavated as part of the same road scheme. A subcircular area (diams. 38.46m N-S; 34.6m E-W) was defined by a U-shaped fosse (Wth. 1.16–2.5m; D 0.55–1.11m) with an undug section at E forming an entrance causeway (Wth. 2m E-W; L 3m N-S). While no trace of an internal bank was found, asymmetrical deposits of large and medium-sizes stones in the fosse were interpreted as being indicative of an internal bank having been deliberately pushed into the fosse outside at some point in antiquity. Further (negative) evidence was suggested by a lack of any internal features adjacent to the inner fosse edge, with a narrow (Wth c.1m) undisturbed ‘band’ maintained throughout its circuit. A single find, a possible sling-shot pebble, was recovered from the basal fill of the fosse but an extensive assemblage of artefacts was retrieved from a middle fill above; many of early medieval date. These comprised eleven sherds of early medieval pottery, a copper-alloy mount, iron objects including a balance beam, a knife blade and nail shank, a whetstone and a bone spindle whorl. Undiagnostic finds included an unidentified iron object, two chert lithics and a flint flake. Animal bone and two fragments of burnt clay were also recorded from this fill. Artefacts retrieved from the upper fill included a c.6th – 9th century silver pseudo-penannular broach, a polished bone object, a possible crucible fragment and an iron buckle pin. The SE sector of the fosse produced one, unexpected, find; a human burial (RO022-173002-) which transpired to be one of three human burials associated with the ringfort. Nine pits (min. L 0.35m; Wth 0.28m; D 0.07m - max. L 2.7m; Wth 1.3m: D 0.16m) were excavated in the interior of the ringfort and one (L 3m; Wth. 2.8m; D 0.42–1.2m) within the enclosing fosse at W. Most, if not all, were interpreted as likely to be contemporary with the occupation phases of the ringfort. Finds retrieved included a coloured glass bead, sherds of early medieval pottery and whetstone fragments. One pit (L 1.72m; Wth 1.1m; D 0.24m) contained stone, animal bone, charcoal, slag and a small amount of disarticulated human skeletal remains. The fragmentary human remains were interpreted as possibly being originally associated with the burial in the ringfort fosse (RO022-173002-), referred to above. The interior also contained a souterrain (RO022-173001-) to S of centre. Externally, two long curvilinear drainage gullies or boundary ditches appeared to be associated with the construction phase of the ringfort, however, radiocarbon dating is awaited to clarify this. Similarly, while a group of six interconnecting linear ditches and shorter curvilinear gullies was interpreted as relating to land drainage to the N and E of the ringfort (diverting excess groundwater away from the enclosure, and preventing water from getting into the interior), radiocarbon dating is also awaited on these features. Also associated, to the WSW and NE of the ringfort, were four cereal-drying kilns (RO022-173002-). An overarching dating strategy is to be developed and the dates currently proposed may be subject to future adjustments. The excavators envisage obtaining c. 20 dates for processed samples in order to establish a proper chronological context. Further analysis of the bone, charcoal and charred non-wood and other materials such as daub and metallurgical residues, will provide information on economic, agricultural, social and industrial practices. Once the specialist reports and dates are returned and the research has been completed, a final report will be produced. The majority of the archaeological features identified have been archaeologically excavated and fully recorded. However, c.10% of the archaeological remains - including part of the ringfort’s enclosing fosse from SE-S-SW and portions of two kilns - lay outside the limits of the road-take and survive in situ. Their presence was confirmed by geophysical survey which also suggests that a second, larger entrance causeway may exist at SW. Reference: Joe Nunan, Saoirse Bailey and Dr Paul Stevens, ‘Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project Stage (iii) Post-Excavation Assessment Report: Lurgan 3’ (Unpublished, 2022) See attached images: • RO022-173----_01 Snip of Plate 4 in Post-Excavation Assessment Report: looking E over excavated ringfort. Note. The S-limits of the monument survive in situ in the unexcavated area outside the fence on right. • RO022-173----_02 Snip of Plate 5 in Post-Excavation Assessment Report: looking S over excavated fosse in W sector. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy based on information provided by Deirdre McCarthy. Date of upload: 11 August 2023