Road — class 2 togher in Ballybeg (aghnameadle Par.)

A peatland survey carried out in 2006 by Archaeological Development Services recorded a togher measuring in ‘width 1.5–2m, depth 0.02–0.07m, length 50m’ (Whitaker 2006, 26). Described by Whitaker (2006, 26-7) as ‘this togher was visible along the field surface at four sightings within the narrowest tract of Ballybeg Bog. It was orientated northwest–southeast and was exposed on the field surface. What remained of the togher was very fragmentary, due to exposure to machinery. It was difficult to discern the original composition of the site, owing to the damaged it had sustained. TN-BLG003a, 219495, 152791, Width 1.5m, Depth 0.07m This sighting represents the southwestern end of the togher and was composed of two longitudinal brushwood elements with interspersed brushwood, root and wood chip fragment. They were predominantly orientated northwest–southeast and measured 0.07 to 0.6m in length and 0.02 to 0.05m in diameter. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum-rich peat with moderate Eriophorum inclusions. TN-BLG003b, 219492, 152805, Width 2m, Depth 0.06m This sighting was located approximately 7m northwest of TN-BLG003a on the field surface. It was composed of a number of irregularly dispersed brushwood and wood chips. The wood was poorly preserved and badly damaged as a result of machine damage. The elements measured 0.05 to 0.12m in length and 0.02 to 0.05m in diameter. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum-rich peat with moderate Eriophorum inclusions. TN-BLG003c, 219496, 152818, Width 2m, Depth 0.06m This sighting was located approximately 10m northwest of TN-BLG003b on the same field surface. It was composed of transversely laid brushwood overlain by densely laid longitudinal brushwood. The wood was poorly preserved due to exposure to machine damage. The elements measured 0.09 to 0.2m in length and 0.01 to 0.04m in diameter. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum-rich peat with moderate Eriophorum inclusions. TN-BLG003d, 219493, 152855, Width 2.21m, Depth 0.02m This sighting was located approximately 17m northwest of TN-BLG003c and represents the north-western extent of the togher. It was composed of four fragmentary, longitudinally laid pieces of roundwood. The wood was preserved due to exposure to machine damage. The elements measured between 0.09 m and 0.19m in length and 0.02m in diameter. The underlying peat was composed of moderately humified Sphagnum-rich peat with moderate Eriophorum inclusions. A single piece of wood was identified as oak’. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 20 August 2012