Ring-ditch in Ballydavis

During archaeological monitoring conducted on the Portlaoise Bypass an extensive Iron Age complex and associated features were discovered in the townland of Ballydavis. A full-scale excavation followed during the period May-Nov. 1995. The site lay atop a low knoll (130 OD), some 4km north-east of Portlaoise town. The approximate area covered was 250m x 130m. The complex consisted of four ring-ditches, seven furnaces, and a series of pits and post-holes. Two smaller ring-ditches (Sites 3 and 4) were also excavated. Site 3 measured 6m in diameter and lay 26m to the north-east of Site 1. The ditch, which contained a mixed fill of charcoal and burnt bone, measured 0.5m in depth and had a maximum width of 1.2m. There was no entrance to the site. Finds from the ditch include four decorated glass beads, of a similar nature to Guido's 'Meare-spiral' type, three decorated bone pieces, a possible hilt of bone and a bead spacer of stone. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 December 2007