M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) Forming Part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co

Project Code: NGTS10 Client: Galway County Council Date: May 2012

M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway.

Ministerial Directions Number: A049 Excavation Registration Number: E4088 Townland Name: Kilskeagh Civil Parish: Athenry Barony: Clare Site Type: Post‐medieval enclosure and structure National Grid Reference: 147599, 235466 Chainage: 7910‐7930/720‐750 Archaeological Consultant: Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd Director: Liam McKinstry Report Author: Liam McKinstry & Sinéad Madigan Report Status: Approved

Project Code: NGTS10 Client: Galway County Council Date: May 2012

CONTENTS Page

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 1 INTRODUCTION 6

2 SITE BACKGROUND AND LOCATION 7 2.1 Site location 7 2.2 General background 7 2.3 Recent excavations 7

3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 9 3.1 Objectives 9 3.2 Methodology 9

4 THE RESULTS 10 4.1 Phase I 10 4.2 Phase II 10 4.3 Phase III 11 4.4 The finds and samples 11

5 DISCUSSION 12 5.1 Dating evidence 12 5.2 The structure 12 5.3 Vernacular architecture 12 5.4 Vernacular Settlement 14 5.5 Conclusions 15

6 ARCHIVE QUANTITIES 16

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 16

REFERENCES 17

FIGURES

Figure 1 E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site location Figure 2 E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site location on extract from First Edition 6” OS (1840) map Figure 3 E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site Layout

PLATES

Plate 1 Pre‐excavation view of site, facing east Plate 2 Revetment wall (009) and structure wall (008), facing east Plate 3 Internal dividing wall, facing southeast Plate 4 Post‐excavation view of structure, facing north Plate 5 Aerial view of Kilskeagh 5, vernacular building, looking southwest

2 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

APPENDICES

Appendix 1 Context Register Appendix 2 Finds Register Appendix 3 Sample Registers Appendix 4 Drawing Register Appendix 5 Photo Register Appendix 6 Site Matrix Appendix 7 Faunal remains assessment from Kilskeagh 5, Co. Galway (E4088)

3 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the final results of an archaeological excavation at Cloondarone, Co. Galway, undertaken on behalf of Galway County Council. The excavation works were undertaken as part of an Archaeological Services Contract (2010) prior to the commencement of construction of the M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. The M17 scheme extends from Rathmorrissy townland (at the southern end of the scheme) to Kilmore townland (at the northern end of the scheme) in Co. Galway. The Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland, issued Directions to Galway County Council for archaeological works associated with the road development (A049). The Excavation Registration Number, E4088, was allocated by the Department for archaeological excavations at Kilskeagh 5 under the direction of Liam McKinstry of Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd.

The Archaeological Services Contract (2010) was commissioned by Galway County Council and funded by the National Roads Authority; the contract was managed by Hyder Tobin Engineers on behalf of Galway County Council.

Stage (i) Test Excavation and Survey Services along the scheme were undertaken by CRDS Ltd between August and January 2010 (Bartlett 2009; Shine et al. 2009a‐d). These test excavations identified a total of 27 archaeological sites which required full archaeological excavation under Stage (iii) of the service requirements. Stage (ii) Pre‐Excavation Services were also undertaken by CRDS Ltd.

At that time a number of areas within the scheme were not subject to Stage (i) test excavation. Testing in these areas, comprising 17 specified locations omitted from the previous Contract (2009), were carried out by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd on behalf of Galway County Council between 11 and 21 May 2010 under Excavation Registration Number E4022. No additional archaeological sites were identified.

The test excavations at Kilskeagh 5 identified a rectilinear depression containing a possible enclosure and a structure (Bartlett 2009; Shine et al. 2009a; Shine et al. 2009b; Shine et al. 2009c; Shine et al. 2009d). The 1st edition OS map (1838‐9) depicts a single building, farmyard walls and a track/road, while the 25”OS mapping published in 1894 depicts only the building The structure may have been associated with what is locally know as ‘Old Kilskeagh’ a village that was deserted in the 19th century (John Morris, pers. comm.). Kilskeagh 5 was located southeast of sites Kilskeagh 2 and 4.

Full archaeological excavation was undertaken at the site between June and July 2010; a preliminary report on the results of the excavation was submitted in August 2010.

Kilskeagh 5 was situated in a somewhat disturbed area of a relatively flat field which sloped slightly from east to west. The field itself formed part of plateau on the eastern side of Kilskeagh Hill. Two areas of excavation at this site measured 24 m (north‐east–south‐west) by 8 m (northwest/southeast) and 22 m (northwest/southeast) by 14 m north‐east–south‐west).

The excavation The first phase of activity on the site was characterised by the construction of a single rectangular, stone‐built structure and an enclosure. Phase II related to the demolition of the structure, while the third phase was represented by modern agricultural practices.

The subsoil in the area seemed to have been deliberately excavated down to the underlying bedrock and an artificial platform had been constructed. This platform most probably served to secure the

4 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088). footings for the wall foundations of the structure and enclosure. The structure itself is estimated to have originally measured 12.5 m (north‐east–south‐west) by 4.8 m; however, the majority of the stone had been robbed out. Only two sections of the outer wall – constructed using both outer and inner facing stones with a core made up of mortar, cobbles and small irregularly‐shaped stones – remained in situ and most of the internal dividing wall and the original floor surfaces – comprising partial limestone mortar surfaces – had also been removed. Remnants of the enclosure, comprising two short sections of wall, were identified in the southeast area of the site; these measured 0.3 m in width and 0.7 to 1.1 m in height.

To the northeast of the structure were the remains of a narrow laneway, which ran in a north‐east– south‐west direction. It was partially cobbled and bounded on both sides by dry‐stone walling. It adjoined and ran perpendicular to a north‐west–south‐east running road, both of which are evident on the 1st Edition 6” Ordnance Survey map (1838‐9) of the area (see Fig. 3).

The structure was sealed by a series of rubble layers consisting of a mix of building debris, such as faced stones and mortar. The lower deposits related to the initial demolition of the structure, while the later deposits in the sequence related mostly to 20th–21st century field clearance and rubbish dumping.

Dating No radiocarbon dates were obtained from this site and the lack of artefactual evidence has meant that the dating of the structures was reliant on analysis of historic mapping. The settlement appears on the 1st edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” series (1838‐9), but is no longer present by the time of compilation of the 25” edition (1894) providing a terminus ante quem for both its construction and abandonment/demolition.

Results of Specialist Analysis Faunal remains: The animal bone assemblage from Kilskeagh 5 came from two different contexts, a Phase I external wall of the structure, and a Phase II deposit associated with the demolition of the structure. A total of four fragments were recovered. The assemblage includes elements from the pelvic girdle, the upper limbs and the head of sheep/goat and pig, all of which are associated with meat exploitation and secondary butchery.

The pig specimens suggest pork consumption, with the butchery being carried out on site, although there is no evidence for slaughtering. The sheep/goat assemblage suggests slaughtering and butchery of the animals for meat consumption on the site. This suggests that the sheep/goat processing (killing, preparation, consumption and disposal) may have been carried out in the same area (Appendix 7).

5 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

1 INTRODUCTION

The N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme is approximately 57 km in length and will connect the N18 Gort to Crusheen Scheme to the existing N17 road immediately north of Tuam. This overall scheme forms part of the Atlantic Corridor designed to connect Letterkenny, County Donegal to Waterford city with a high quality dual carriageway/ motorway link, which will run via Sligo, Galway and Cork. Development of the Atlantic Corridor is an objective of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007 – 2013. It is also an objective of the Transport 21 framework.

The proposed M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme is approximately 26 km long and will connect the existing M6, from Dublin to Galway, at Rathmorrissy with the N17 south of Tuam (Figure 1). An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was carried out on the entire length of the proposed road (Galway County Council 2007). The scheme was approved by An Bord Pleanála (Ref. PL07 .HA0005) in March 2009.

The road construction project is being funded as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme. The total archaeological cost is administered by the National Roads Authority through Galway County Council. The current programme of works has been undertaken by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd following the award of an Archaeological Consultancy Services Contract (2010) by Galway County Council.

A geophysical survey was undertaken within the road corridor by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics (Bonsall and Gimson 2006). This survey informed the findings of the subsequent EIS (Galway County Council 2007). The EIS included a chapter on Archaeological and Cultural Heritage which was compiled by Sheila Lane & Associates (2007).

Test excavations under Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2009) were undertaken by CRDS Ltd between August and January 2010 (Bartlett 2009; Shine et al. 2009a‐d). These resulted in the identification of 27 archaeological sites within the CPO area. Of these, a high proportion were categorised as burnt mounds or burnt spreads with the remainder taking the form of early modern vernacular building remains, a corn‐drying kiln, (likely) prehistoric enclosures and approximately 60% of an upstanding ringfort. Stage (ii) Pre‐Excavation Services on the scheme involved the removal and management of topsoil to fully expose the archaeological features and deposits, hand cleaning of exposed surfaces and mapping of features identified at these sites. This was carried out by CRDS Ltd between December 2009 and March 2010.

Further test excavation under Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2010) were undertaken by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd between 11 and 21 May 2010 (Bolger et al. 2010), however no additional archaeological sites were identified.

Archaeological excavations were undertaken at each of the 27 identified archaeological sites by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd between May 2010 and July 2010 under Stage (iii) of the Archaeological Services Contract (2010).

6 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

2 SITE BACKGROUND AND LOCATION

2.1 Site location

Kilskeagh 5 was situated in the townland of Kilskeagh, parish of Athenry, barony of Clare and was located 7 km to the northeast of Athenry at National Grid Reference: 147570, 235518 (Figure 1, Plate 5). Kilskeagh 5 was situated in the corner of a flat field which sloped slightly from east to west. The field itself formed part of plateau on the eastern side of Kilskeagh Hill.

The solid geology of the area comprises sedimentary rocks. Burren limestone is the most extensively outcropping rock type in the area. It is generally a light to medium grey, bedded, fossiliferous, coarse to medium grained limestone. These rocks, which make up much of the midlands of Ireland, represent the northward return of the sea at the end of the Devonian, 360 million years ago, owing to the opening of a new ocean to the south called the Palaeo‐Tethys, in what is now central Europe. This area is part of a physical region of Ireland known as the Central Bogland and Moraine area (Aalen et al. 1997, fig 12). This area, west of the Shannon, is characterised by a thin blanket of glacial deposits and peat bogs. The soils of the area consist of a mixture of grey/brown podzolics and shallow brown earths.

2.2 General background

The known archaeological sites in the vicinity of site prior to the current road development were a hilltop enclosure (GA071‐044) 450 m to the east, two possible enclosures (GA071‐087 and GA071‐088) within 500m to the northeast, a house (GA071‐046001), an enclosure (GA071‐045) 600 m to the east and a grouping including a church (GA071‐076001, a building (GA071‐076002), a graveyard (GA071‐ 076003) and a market cross (GA071‐076004) 650 m to the west. All of these recorded sites lie outside the CPO and are unaffected by the scheme.

2.3 Recent excavations

Archaeological investigations undertaken as part of Stage (i) of the Archaeological Services Contract in advance of the M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam section of the N17/18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme identified a number of sites in the vicinity of Kilskeagh 5.

Kilskeagh 5 together with sites at Kilskeagh 2 (E4082) – located approximately 50 m to the west (McKinstry 2010d) – and Kilskeagh 4 (E4086) – located approximately 100 m to the west (McKinstry 2010e) – comprise a small cluster of post‐medieval rural dwellings, which are depicted on the 1st Edition 6” Ordnance Survey map (1838‐39); Kilskeagh 6 (E4091), located 0.7 km to the south, was the site of two cobbled trackways, a metalled surface with a small portion of possible trackway and a collapsed structure or building of post‐medieval date (O’Neill 2010c); Kilskeagh 1 (E4080) was the location of Bronze Age, early to late medieval and post‐medieval activity and was situated approximately 1 km to the SSW (O’Neill 2010a); Kilskeagh 3 (E4084), which was also situated approximately 1 km to the SSW of Kilskeagh 4, provided evidence of activity in the Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, early medieval and late medieval periods (O’Neill 2010b).

Located 4–4.5 km to the northwest of Kilskeagh 5 were: Annagh 1 (E4085), which was the location of three post‐medieval structures (McKinstry and Madigan 2011); Annagh Hill 1 (E4092), which contained a stone‐lined kiln and associated features (McKinstry 2010a); Annagh Hill 2 (E4093), which

7 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088). was the siting of a Middle Bronze Age burnt stone spread with associated pit (McKinstry 2010b); and Annagh Hill 3 (E4094), which contained floor surfaces/walls, a pit and a kiln (McKinstry 2010c).

These sites were fully excavated during Stage (iii) of the current Contract (2010) and separate final reports for these sites have been produced.

8 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

3 OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

3.1 Objectives

The objective of the work was the preservation‐by‐record through appropriate rescue excavation of any significant archaeological features or deposits, which have been identified within the land take of the proposed development, in advance of the road construction programme, so as to mitigate the impact of the road development on this archaeological material.

3.2 Methodology

Full archaeological excavation was undertaken at Kilskeagh 5 between 23 June and 9 July 2010. The crew for the excavation consisted of 1 director, 1 supervisor and 8 site assistants.

Topsoil stripping of the site was conducted using a 360° tracked machine fitted with a 2 m wide ditching (toothless) bucket under constant archaeological supervision. A total area of 241.3661 m² was exposed. The resulting surface was cleaned and all potential features investigated by hand. Archaeological contexts were recorded by photograph and on pro forma record sheets. Plans and sections were drawn at scales of 1:50, 1:20 and 1:10 respectively. Registers are provided in the appendices (Appendices 1‐5). Ordnance Datum levels and feature locations were recorded using Penmap and a total station theodolite.

Environmental samples (animal bone samples) were taken from any deposits suitable for analysis or dating as per Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd environmental guidelines and following consultation with zooarchaeologist Claudia Tommasino Suárez. No artefacts were recovered during the excavation.

As part of stage (iv) post‐excavation works, animal bone samples have been examined by the appropriate specialists and the results are incorporated into this report (see appendices).

Due to the post‐medieval date of the site at Kilskeagh 2 and the fact that the soil samples were recovered from demolition layers rather than secure contexts it was deemed unnecessary for an assessment to be carried out by Archaeobotanist Dr. Scott Timpany.

9 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

4 THE RESULTS

The site was divided into two areas. The more northerly area extended across an area measuring 24 m (northeast/southwest) by 8 m, while the more southerly area measured 22 m (northwest/southeast) by 14 m (Figure 3).

The first phase of activity on the site was characterised by the reduction of the natural subsoil and the construction of an artificial platform upon which a single rectangular, stone‐built structure and an enclosure were built. Phase II related to the demolition of the structure and enclosure, while the third phase was represented by modern agricultural practices.

The topsoil at the site (001) was an average of 0.3 m in depth and comprised mid brown silty clay. Natural geological strata (002) was characterised by yellow grey gravelly silt.

4.1 Phase I

The earliest identified activity at Kilskeagh 5 involved the deliberate removal of the natural subsoil down to the underlying bedrock. An artificial rubble platform (014) was then constructed onto the exposed bedrock, most probably to create a secure footing for the foundation walls of the structure and enclosure. This platform was sub‐rectangular in plan with its south‐western end facing onto a northwest/southeast running cobbled road (Figure 2). The platforms conjectural size measured approximately 6.9 m (northeast/southwest) by 6.7 m and it was approximately 0.2‐0.3 m high; remnants of an outer dry‐stone retaining wall (009) were identified along its northwest and southeast sides.

A sub‐rectangular structure was erected directly on top of artificial platform (014). This was also orientated in a northeast/southwest direction measuring approximately 12.5 m long by 4.8 m wide. There was no evidence of an entrance into this structure; however, the majority of the stone comprising the building had been robbed out, with only two sections of the outer wall (008) remaining in situ on the northwest and southeast sides. These wall sections measured between 5.95 m and 6.40 m long, 0.85 m thick and were up to two courses high. They were constructed using both outer and inner facing stones, with a core made up of mortar, cobbles and small irregularly‐shaped stones. A similarly constructed internal wall (007), measuring 3.10 m long (northwest/southeast), 0.75 m thick and 0.55 m high, divided the structure into two rooms; although there was no evidence for an internal doorway between the two. The largest room was located at the northeast end, measuring approximately 5.3 m by 3.1 m, while the smaller, southwestern room measured approximately 4.5 m by 3.1 m. The interior floors both had partial limestone mortar surfaces (012) and (013).

Remnants of an enclosure (015), comprising two short sections of rough dry stone walling, were identified in the southeast area of the site; these measured 0.3 m in width and 0.7 to 1.1 m in height.

To the northeast of the structure were the remains of a narrow laneway, which ran in a northeast/southwest direction. This was partially cobbled (003) and bounded on both sides by dry‐ stone walling (005 and 006). It adjoined and ran perpendicular to a northwest/southeast running road, both of which are evident on the 1st Edition 6” Ordnance Survey map (1838‐9) of the area (Figure 2).

4.2 Phase II

10 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

Based on the excavations at Kilskeagh 2 and Kilskeagh 4, it is believed that the Phase II activities at Kilskeagh 5 revolved around the demolition of the structure and the enclosure wall. This demolition resulted in a site wide layer of building debris, such as faced stone and mortar (010), which had a depth of approximately 0.5 m.

4.3 Phase III

Phase III consisted of a final layer of rubble (016), which was mostly comprised material from 20th–21st century field clearance and rubbish dumping. This layer covered the whole site with a maximum thickness of between 0.2‐0.6 m. This layer contained modern farm refuse, such as plastic sheeting, twine, piping etc.

4.4 The finds and samples

No finds were recovered during this excavation. A total of two animal bone samples were retrieved during the investigations at Kilskeagh 5.

Analysis of the samples A total of two samples of animal bone were retained from the excavation.

The animal bone samples were analysed with a view to better understanding the pastoral economy of the site (see Appendix 13). The animal bone assemblage from Kilskeagh 5 was derived from two contexts; the first from the Phase I external wall (008) of the structure and the second from the Phase II demolition layer (010).

The assemblage was found to be in a fair state of preservation with a medium‐high level of fragmentation. The bones were between 21‐40% complete. The first sample comprised two fragments (one left tibia and one right mandible) which were identified as adult sheep/goat specimens. The second sample comprised two fragments which were identified as adult pig pelvises. The pig specimens suggest pork consumption with the butchery likely being carried out on site, although there is no evidence on the current material for slaughtering. The sheep/goat assemblage also suggests slaughtering and butchery of the animals for meat consumption on the site. This suggests that the sheep/goat processing (killing, preparation, consumption and disposal) may have been carried out in the same area. Exploitation of these species is commonly found on Irish archaeological sites from the Neolithic period onwards (Waddell 1998; McCormick and Murray 2007; Denham 2007).

11 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

5 DISCUSSION

The results of the excavation at Kilskeagh 5 point to a single dwelling, situated perpendicular to the northwest/southeast running cobbled road and within a rectangular enclosure bounded by that road on the southwest. Evidence for a cobbled laneway, branching from the northwest/southeast orientated road was found to the northwest. No archaeological evidence was found to suggest a reason for the abandonment of the settlement.

5.1 Dating evidence

Three phases of activity were identified at the site, all dating to the post‐medieval to modern period. The Phase I activity can only be dated through cartographic evidence as no artefacts or radiocarbon dates were obtained for this site. The structure, enclosure and laneway are clearly visible on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map of 1838‐1839; however, it is no longer present by the time of the compilation of the 25” Edition O.S. map in 1894. This provides a terminus ante quem for both the construction and abandonment/demolition of the features excavated at Kilskeagh 5.

Based on the excavations at Kilskeagh 2 and Kilskeagh 4, it is believed that the Phase II activities at Kilskeagh 5 revolved around the demolition of the structure and the enclosure wall; while Phase III was characterised by a rubble layer containing 20th to 21st century rubbish.

5.2 The structure

The structure excavated at Kilskeagh 5 observed a basic rectangular ground plan with evidence for one internal wall and was constructed of stone walling, for the most part, which rested on an artificial platform.

The structure was most likely of direct entry type, as identified at the immediately surrounding sites of Kilskeagh 2 and 4. The wall dimensions (up to 0.85 m in thickness) are not typical of stone‐walled vernacular houses in the western region of Ireland. The interior floors were most likely entirely covered with limestone mortar. The platform on which the structure was sited was constructed to fill a large natural depression and provide a stable footing for the dwelling. Subsoil within the area where the structure and enclosure were situated seemed to have been deliberately reduced to the underlying bedrock to further secure the foundations.

5.3 Vernacular architecture

The study of vernacular architecture has gained interest in Ireland, and as such, the excavation of these structures at Kilskeagh 4 is well‐timed and will serve to add to the knowledge of vernacular housing in Ireland, particularly in the east of Co. Galway. Until the 20th century rural buildings in Ireland were regionally varied and traditional. House styles evolved to adapt to the local environment and economy. The term ‘vernacular architecture’ is now widely applied to this broad mass of buildings. In essence it refers to native buildings that are not designed by an architect and are generally constructed by their owners, employing locally acquired materials, traditional skills and drawing on inspiration handed down orally and by example (Ó Maitiú and O’Reilly 1997).

The traditional vernacular house in Ireland is a modest thatched building, of a single storey, with a rectangular plan. The house is rarely more than one room in width and each room opens into the next

12 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088). without a passage or central hall. The entrance and windows are placed on the side rather than end walls. Deviation from this arrangement was thought to be unlucky (Estyn Evans 1942, 61: 1957, 41). Structurally these houses are simple. The roof is supported by the walls and not by internal posts or pillars (Aalen et al. 1996, 146). It has been suggested that the vernacular houses of the north, west and south of Ireland were almost all single storied, and that the traditional houses of the remote west and northwest of the country were moulded by the wind and rugged landscape, and the ferocity of the Atlantic gales (Rothery 1997, 69‐71). It may be that the use of local building materials meant that these structures fitted well into the landscapes, of which they were literally a part (Campbell 1937; Estyn Evans 1957, 40).

Despite the various classifications of vernacular houses (Estyn Evans 1942; Gailey 1984; Aalen et al. 1997) there are two basic types of structure: the direct entry house and the lobby entry house. The general layout of each type is essentially the same, with both being rectangular in plan, possibly internally subdivided into units and single‐storied. The classification is based on the principal entrance to the structure and its relationship to the hearth. Direct entry houses have a primary doorway entering directly into a space (customarily the kitchen) with the hearth area in the gable wall, usually the wall furthest from the doorway.

In lobby entry houses the view into the space (customarily the kitchen) from the principal doorway is obscured by a ‘jam wall’ placed within the house at a short distance in front of the doorway, screening the room from unwelcome draughts. Many of these ‘jam walls’ have what is termed ‘a spy hole’, which permits the person inside to peer through and note the arrival of visitors. Some commentators believe that the two types of vernacular house have a distinctive regional distribution, with direct entry houses being located in the west of the country and lobby entry houses in the eastern region (Aalen et al. 1997, 149). This distribution pattern is mainly based on local building materials with stone structures being predominant in the western parts of the country and earthen structures prevalent in the east. However, there is a substantial overlap of direct entry and lobby entry features in some parts of the country and a true regional distribution is difficult to illustrate. The structure at Kilskeagh 5, which has been identified as a dwelling, is assumed to be of the direct entry tradition; though there was no surviving evidence for the original entrance or (significantly) a ‘jam wall’ within the structure, all the other building investigated within this settlement (Kilskeagh 2 (E4082) and Kilskeagh 4 (E4086))were of the direct entry type, potentially reflecting a common local preference.

Roofs were usually of thatch although slate roofs are known, where it is the local stone, such as in parts of Co. Clare (Danaher 1975, 11). The main function of the roof in the Irish climate was to run off rain and this is the reason why they were steeply pitched. Roofs were built in two traditional forms. Hipped roofs wrap around all four sides of the house and have a curved appearance. Gabled roofs are more angular, with triangular sides (the gables). Though they were built all over Ireland, hipped roofs were predominantly associated with lobby ‘eastern’ houses, where cultivation and tillage predominated, and gabled roofs with direct entry or ‘western’ houses, where pastoral activities predominated (Aalen et al. 1997, 149‐53).

An alternative reason behind the geographical distribution of the roof types is that gabled roofs are better suited to windy conditions, such as on the western seaboard, where mass stone walls can hold the bearing weight of such a roof. Hipped roof construction is not so well suited to windy conditions but distributes the weight of the roof more evenly over the four walls, which is more suited to the east of the country where the walls tend to be earth or mud construction (Aalen et al. 1997, 54).

The ‘cruck roof’ system was in use in the 20th century, especially in the north of the country, a system whereby a pair of curved timbers rose from ground level, meeting at the apex of the house and

13 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088). supporting the weight of the roof. This was not a commonly used roof type in the west of the country and no archaeological evidence was found to identify the roof type of the Annagh 1 structures. The cruck system allows for the posts to run from the ground and postholes may be expected, which were not found. However, it has been postulated that the cruck system would not necessarily need to be earthfast, because the crucks themselves are self supporting and might be seated directly on the ground surface or on stone pads so that they would leave no archaeological trace (Bannon 1984, 168). It is also suggested that the wall head truss system may have been used (O’Connor 2002). Perhaps some roofs were covered in thatch and roped against the wind, as can be seen in Co. Donegal and along the western seaboard (Estyn Evans 1957, 52). No evidence of roofing materials was recovered during the excavation at Kilskeagh 5, indicating that they were most likely traditional thatched structures.

The direct entry house form has developed from archaic structures, termed byre‐dwellings or generally longhouses. Widespread in the west of the country until the 19th century, they incorporated both animal byre and dwelling in one compartment (Aalen et al. 1997, 149). There is a possibility that the structure was a byre‐dwelling, with the internal wall dividing the habitation areas for people and animals. There was no evidence of any drainage features associated with this structure, which could be expected with a byre, however, the absence of evidence of a hearth area suggests that this may not have been solely a dwelling.

The bed out‐shot is a typical feature of direct entry houses and they have a clear westerly distribution (Aalen et al. 1997, 151; Lucas 1970). Many old houses possessed a large alcove near the fire. Frequently it formed part of the external structure of the house; this box‐like projection being used to accommodate a bed. The structure at Kilskeagh 5 had any indication of this type of feature.

Stone was the most common walling material, and drystone walling was common in the far west. Good quality ashlar stonework is rarely encountered in vernacular buildings. A notable exception is Ballyknockan, which was a village of stonecutters near a quarry in Co. Wicklow, dating to the early 19th century (Ó Maitiú and O’ Reilly 1997). The structure at Kilskeagh 5 was stone built with the outer and inner faces of the exterior walls faced with flat‐faced stones and having a core made up of mortar, cobbles and small irregular shaped stones.

Remains of similar post‐medieval settlements such as this are known throughout the country, with excavated examples from Rough Point, Co Donegal (Coyne and Collins 2004) to Beara, Co. Cork (Breen 2004). The structure at Kilskeagh 5 does not fit easily into any of the current views of vernacular structures. Its construction reflects the nature of its use and the local materials available for construction at the time rather than reflecting a particular tradition.

5.4 Vernacular Settlement

The three excavated sites at Kilskeagh (Kilskeagh 2 (E4082), Kilskeagh 4 (E4086) and Kilskeagh 5 (E4088)) formed part of a vernacular settlement marked on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey maps (1840). The buildings had entirely disappeared by the third edition maps and the field system in the area had been largely reorganised into larger fields by the same time. The settlement was a partly regular row settlement, with buildings mainly set perpendicular to the road. This arrangement is rarer than that of buildings being parallel to the road (although not necessarily different in chronological terms). The settlement at Kilskeagh seems to have contained about ten dwellings and a smaller number of outbuildings and there were three small farmyards, most of the buildings standing on one side of a cul‐de‐sac road. This road may have continued further into the townland or beyond it, as might be suggested by the field boundaries. (B. O’Reilly, pers. comm.) Griffith’s Valuation of

14 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088). c.1850 lists just two tenants: Michael Hennelly with a herd’s house and land and Marcus Loughnane with offices and land; and one landlord; Robert Browne in Kilskeagh townland.

5.5 Conclusions

The excavation at Kilskeagh 5 will assist in broadening the knowledge of this period in Ireland, and particularly in this area of east Co. Galway. The cartographic evidence points to this building being part of a vernacular settlement, which also included Kilskeagh 2 (E4082) and Kilskeagh 4 (E4086). The settlement had been depopulated by the 1850s, presumably as a result of the Great Famine, whether through death/disease or migration/emigration. All in all the settlement at Kilskeagh is historically instructive, and as it depicts some pre‐first edition Ordnance Survey buildings, it is also interesting from the point of view of settlement history/development (B. O’Reilly, pers. comm.).

The structure at Kilskeagh 5 shares a number of characteristics with the surrounding structures of Kilskeagh 2 and 4, including the commonality of internal dividing walls. The main variation in the structures involves the placement and/or evidence for hearths. It is generally held that structures without any evidence of a hearth were solely used for the accommodation of animals. Although there was no evidence for a hearth at Kilskeagh 5, it remains highly likely that it was in fact a dwelling rather than an outbuilding, as attested by the planning and physical effort involved in the construction of the platform.

The settlement does not appear to have been in use for any great length of time, due to the general scarcity of stratigraphy and artefactual evidence. It is possibly that the settlement was occupied for as little as a generation or two before it was abandoned. The abandonment of the site appears to have been a planned and ordered action rather than occurring in a hurried fashion, as the lack of artefacts illustrates.

15 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

6 ARCHIVE QUANTITIES

The site archive is comprised of the following materials:

Item Quantity Context Sheets 11 (5 more numbers added during post ex) Plans 1 Sections 0 Photographs 33 Registers 5 Notebooks 0

The archive material is contained within one box.

Storage of the archive in a suitable format and location is required in order to provide for any future archaeological research. It is proposed that in addition to the paper archive a digital copy is prepared. The archive is currently stored in the offices of Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd., Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork. It is proposed that following completion of post‐ excavation the archive will be deposited with the National Monuments Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, or the National Museum of Ireland, or such other repository as may be directed by the Client’s Representative and the Project Archaeologist.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The director would like to thank the following for their contribution to the excavation and post‐ excavation phases of this project:

• Martin Jones, NRA Project Archaeologist, Galway County Council, National Roads Design Office. • Tom Cannon, Senior Engineer Hyder Tobin, Joseph O’Brien, Resident Engineer Hyder Tobin, Tony Collins and Laura Heneghan, Senior Engineer Galway County Council. • Project and post‐excavation managers, Colm Moloney, Damian Shiels, Åsa Carlsson and Ross MacLeod, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • Teresa Bolger, Editor, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • Graphics department, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • T.J. O’Connell, Site Supervisor, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. • The excavation team. • Barry O’Reilly, Survey Controller, National Inventory of Architectural Heritage

16 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

REFERENCES

Aalen, F.H.A., Whelan, K. And Stout, M. 1997 Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape. Cork, University Press Cork.

Bartlett, T. 2009 N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Rathmorrissy Ringfort GA084:065. E4024. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Bolger, T., Doyle, L. O’Neill, N., Bartlett, T. and O’Neill, T. 2010 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) as part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Stage (i) Test Excavations, Addendum Report (E4022). Unpublished report by Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd for Galway County Council.

Bonsall, J. and Gimson, H. 2006 N17 Galway to Tuam National Road Scheme County Galway, Archaeological Geophysical Survey. Unpublished report by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics for Galway County Council.

Brannon, N.F. 1984 A small excavation at Tildarg townland, near Ballyclare, County Antrim. Ulster Journal of Archaeology, 47, 163‐70.

Breen, C. 2004 The Archaeology and Landscape Cultural History of Bantry and Beara, 1200‐1650. Unpublished PhD thesis, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Campbell, A. 1937 Notes on the Irish House. Folkliv 1, 207‐34

Coyne, F. and Collins T. 2004 Excavation of a Post‐Medieval Settlement at Rough Point, Killybegs, Couty Donegal. Limerick: Davis Printers

Danaher, K. 1975 Ireland’s Vernacular Architecture. Bord Failte, Dublin.

Estyn Evans, E. 1942 Irish Heritage. Dundalgan Press, Dundalk.

Estyn Evans, E. 1957 Irish Folkways. London: Routledge

Gailey, A. 1984 Rural Houses of the North of Ireland. John Donald, Edinburgh.

Galway County Council 2007 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Motorway Environmental Impact Statement. Galway County Council, Galway

Lucas, A.T. 1970 Contributions to the Study of the Irish House: a possible ancestry of the bed outshot in Folklife, 8, 81‐98

O’Connor, K.D. 2002 Housing in Later Medieval Gaelic Ireland. Ruralia, 4, 201‐10

Ó Maitú, S. And O’Reilly, B. 1997 Ballyknockan: a Wicklow stonecutter’s village. Woodford Press, Dublin.

Rothery, s. 1997 A Field Guide to the Buildings of Ireland. Lilliput Press: Dublin.

17 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

Sheila Lane and Associates 2007 Archaeological and cultural heritage technical report. In Galway County Council Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Motorway Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 3. Galway County Council, Galway

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009a N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy to Tuam) Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 1 (Ch 25,400‐21,100) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009b N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 2 (Ch 21,100‐13,050) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009c N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 3 (Ch 13,050‐4,580) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Shine, D., Bartlett, T., Johnson, A. and McKinstry, L. 2009d N17/19 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services: Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Stage (i) Archaeological Services. Section 4 (Ch 4,580‐0) E4022. Unpublished Report by CRDS Ltd for Galway County Council.

Cartographic Sources

First Edition Ordnance Survey map, 6”:1 mile, 1838‐9; Co. Galway – Sheet No. 71

First Edition Ordnance Survey, 25”:1 mile, 1890‐98; Co. Galway – Sheet No 71‐05 and 71‐09

Record of Monuments and Places for County Galway, Sheet Nos 71

Electronic Sources

Bennet, I. (ed.) 2009 Excavations.ie, database of Irish excavation reports [online]. Available http://www.excavations.ie/Pages/HomePage.php [Accessed April 2011]

Griffiths Valuations First survey of property ownership in Ireland from 1848 to 1864 [online]. Available http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith‐ valuation/index.xml?action=doNameSearch&PlaceID=530734&county=Galway&barony=Clare&paris h=Athenry&townland=%3Cb%3EKilskeagh%3C/b%3E [Accessed: April 2011]

National Monuments Service, 2007 National monuments – map viewer [online]. Available http://www.archaeology.ie/smrmapviewer/mapviewer.aspx [Accessed: April 2011]

Ordnance Survey of Ireland, 2009 Historic mapping [online]. Available http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx# [Accessed: April 2011]

18 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

Appendix 1 – Context Register for Kilskeagh 5

Context Type Fill of: Filled by: Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. (m) (m) (m) 001 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Moderately compact mid‐brown silty clay Topsoil 002 Deposit ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Yellow grey gravelly silt Natural 003 Surface ‐ ‐ 25 2.2 0.26 Linear surface bordered by upright dry stone Trackway surface walls 004 Deposit (003) ‐ 25 2.2 0.26 Soft loose light orangey brown silty clay with Layer of built up material on occasional pebbles/gravel and very trackway occasional charcoal 005 Masonry ‐ ‐ 25 ‐ 0.60‐ Three to five courses of natural rough Straight dry stone wall/northeast 0.85 limestone blocks with no bonding material. boundary of trackway (003) Largest of the blocks within the upper courses of the middle section of the wall 006 Masonry ‐ ‐ 25 ‐ 0.7‐ Three to five courses of natural rough Dry stone wall with curve at 1.40 limestone blocks with no bonding material. southern end/southwest Largest of the blocks within the upper boundary of trackway (003) courses 007 Masonry ‐ ‐ 3.1 0.75 0.55 Two courses of medium to large sized rough Internal wall of structure, joins uncut and roughly dressed limestone wall. with external wall (008) Sits directly on natural, orientated NW‐SE 008 Masonry ‐ ‐ 12.5 4.8 0.45‐ One course of large roughly cut dressed and External wall of structure , abuts 0.7 undressed limestone with some evidence of internal wall (007) mortar bonding material. Site directly on natural, orientated NE‐SW 009 Masonry ‐ ‐ 2.1 0.4 0.2‐0.3 Single course of roughly faced large Revetment wall limestones 010 Deposit ‐ ‐ 14 8 0.5 Loose limestone rubble Spread across site, associated with walls (007) and (009) 011 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ Limestone surface Bedrock north of structure

Appendices M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP Scheme, Co. Galway. Final Excavation Report for Kilskeagh 5 in the townland of Kilskeagh, Co. Galway. (E4088).

Context Type Fill of: Filled by: Length Width Depth Description Interpretation no. (m) (m) (m) 012 Layer ‐ ‐ 0.01‐ Partial Disturbed mortar surface Very disturbed mortar surface 0.03 within the north western room 013 Layer ‐ ‐ 0.01‐ Partial Disturbed mortar surface Very disturbed mortar surface 0.03 within the south eastern room 014 Layer 6‐9 6.7 0.2‐0.3 Rubble/re‐deposit layer Platform of rubble supporting structure and associated with revetment wall (009) 015 Masonry ‐ 0.3 0.7‐1.1 Rough dry stone wall Enclosure wall surrounding structure 016 ‐ ‐ 0.2‐0.6 Small‐large irregular limestone with modern Modern rubble layer inclusions (e.g. plastic sheeting)

Appendix 2 – Finds Register for Kilskeagh 5

No finds were retrieved from Kilskeagh 5.

Appendix 3 – Sample Registers for Kilskeagh 5

Animal Bone Samples

Sample No. Context No. Description 001 (008) Animal bone from external wall of structure 002 (010) Animal bone from rubble

Appendix 4 – Drawing Register for Kilskeagh 5

Drawing No. Sheet No. Scale Type Description 001 1:50 Plan Exposed structure

Appendix 5 – Photo Register for Kilskeagh 5

Direction Photo no. facing Description E4088:629 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:630 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:631 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:632 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:633 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:634 E Mid‐ex view of structure E4088:635 E Close up of (009) and (008) in structure E4088:636 E Close up of (009) and (008) in structure E4082:637 E N/W end of structure E4088:638 E N/W end of structure E4088:639 E N/W end of structure E4088:640 NE Wall (008) on east side of structure E4088:641 SE Wall (008) with tree and rubble fill E4088:642 SE Overall shot of site structure E4088:643 SE Overall shot of site structure E4088:644 S Wall (008) on east side of structure E4088:645 S Close up of standing stone wall (008) E4088:646 SE Internal wall of structure E4088:647 SE Internal wall of structure E4088:648 NE Close up of north side of wall (007) E4088:649 NE Wall (008) on east side of structure E4088:650 SE Wall (008) on west side E4088:651 E Possible robbed out wall area with west‐facing revetment E4088:652 E Possible robbed out wall area with west‐facing revetment E4088:653 E Possible robbed out wall area with west‐facing revetment E4088:654 N View of revetment wall on site E4088:655 W View of building remains on site E4088:656 N View of building remains on site E4088:657 W View of building remains on site E4088:658 Crew E4088:659 Crew E4088:660 Crew E4088:661 Crew E4088:662 Crew

Appendix 6 – Site Matrix for Kilskeagh 5

001 Topsoil

Road Structure Enclosing wall

016 Phase 3

010 Phase 2

012 013 008 007 004

005 003 006 014 009 015 Phase 1

002 Natural Geology 011

Appendix 7 – Faunal remains assessment from Kilskeagh 5, Co. Galway (E4088) By: Claudia Tommasino Suárez

Methodology

Identification and quantification During the assessment each specimen was identified according to species, skeletal element, age and sex where possible. The animal bone reference collection located in Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd, Unit 1 Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork was utilised. The mammal specimens that could not be assigned to a species were recorded using the categories “large mammal” (lm), “medium mammal 1” (mm1), “medium mammal 2” (mm2) and “small mammal” (sm) (Harland et al. 2003). The specimens categorised as “large mammal” could belong to cattle, horse or big cervids such as red deer or reindeer. The “medium mammal 1” category refers to sheep, goat, pig or small cervids. The skeletal elements are divided into the four parts of the skeleton: head (skull, mandible); axial carcass or trunk (vertebrae and ribs); meaty bones or upper limbs (scapulae, pelvis and its respective limb); and feet or lower limbs (metapodials, phalanges and carpals/tarsals).

The quantification of the assemblage was carried out using NISP (Number of Identifiable Specimens) calculated as the total of fragments attributed to a specific taxon (Grayson 1984; O’Connor 2004; Reitz and Wing 1999). All data is stored in digital and written form in Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd, Unit 1 Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork.

Ageing The epiphyseal fusion assessment was carried out using the methodology developed by Silver (1969).

Taphonomy and butchery The recognition of any taphonomic factors such as gnawing, burning, texture and completeness of the bones and the butchery marks presents were dealt with using Lyman’s (1994) methodology.

Results

The animal bone assemblage from Kilskeagh 5 came from two different contexts: a Phase I deposit (008) from the external wall of the structure, and a Phase II spread (010) associated with the demolition of the structure. A total of four fragments were recovered.

The assemblage was found to be in a fair state of preservation with a medium‐high level of fragmentation. The bones were between 21‐40% complete.

Two fragments were identified as sheep/goat specimens: one left tibia and one right mandible. The remaining two fragments were identified as pig pelvises, one of them was sufficiently preserve to be identified as a right pelvis. All of the specimens were identified as adults.

The assemblage includes elements from the pelvic girdle, the upper limbs and the head, all of which are associated with meat exploitation and secondary butchery.

No taphonomic modifications or butchery marks were observable on any of the fragments from this site.

Bibliography

Denham, S. D. 2007 Animal exploitation in medieval Ireland. Unpublished PhD thesis, Queens University, Belfast.

Grayson, D. 1984. Quantitative zooarchaeology. Academic Press Inc, Washington

Harland, J.F., J. H. Barrett, J. Carrott, K. Dobney, and D. Jaques 2003 The York System: An integrated zooarchaeological database for research and teaching. Internet Archaeology 13.

Lyman, R. 1994. Vertebrate taphonomy. Cambridge: Cambridge Manuals in Archaeology.

McCormick, F. 2007 The horse in Early Ireland. Anthropozoologica. 42 (1), 85‐104.

McCormick, F. and Murray, E. 2007 Knowth and the zooarchaeology of Early Christian Ireland. Excavations at Knowth 3. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

O’Connor, T. 2004. The archaeology of animal bones. Sutton Publishing Limited, Great Britain.

Reitz, E. J. and E. S. Wing. 1999. Zooarchaeology. Cambridge manuals in archaeology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Silver, I. 1969 The ageing of domestic animals. In D. Brothwell and E. Higgs (eds.) Science in Archaeology 2. Thames and Hudson, 331‐58.

Waddell, J. 1998 The Prehistoric archaeology of Ireland. Galway University Press, Galway.

Appendices Kilskeagh 5 Kilskeagh 5

GA03235

GA03237 Kilskeagh 4 GA03236

Kilskeagh 2 K5

Kilskeagh 5 E4088

GA03238

GA03239

Kilskeagh 6 0 500 m GA03230 Reproduced from client supplied digital mapping resources. C Ordnance Surveyof Ireland and Government of Ireland.

Key M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii). Sites CPO/LMA Figure 1: E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site location.

RMP Drawn by: JMM 1st edit by: SN 2nd edit by: Signed off: StructureStructure 3

E4088E4088 KilskeaghKilskeagh 5

0 100 m ReproducedReproduced fromfrom 1830-1840s1830-1840s OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey ofof Ireland,Ireland, 1stst EEdition,dition, SixSix InchInch toto OneOne MileMile map,map, GalwayGalway C OrdnanceOrdnance SurveySurvey ofof IrelandIreland andand GovernmentGovernment ofof Ireland.Ireland. LicenceLicence No.No. ENEN 00081110008111 http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,547501,735567,7,8http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,544781,742508,6,8http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,544781,742508,6,8 M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, Stage (iii).

Figure 2: E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site location on extract from First Edition 6” OS (1840) map. X = 147600.9914 Y = 235474.3919 Z = 127.6600

003

005

006

X = 147586.0444 Y = 235451.9513 Z = 127.6600

009 008008

014 013

008 012 007

009

015

X = 147610.4390 Y = 235420.7900 Z = 128.1435

0 10 m

Road surface M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010), Stone and forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme, Co. Galway, wall extent Figure 3: E4088 / Kilskeagh 5. Site location. Plate 1 - Pre-excavation view of site, facing east.

Plate 2 - Revetment wall (009) and structure wall (008), facing east. Plate 3 - Internal dividing wall, facing southeast.

Plate 4 - Post-excavation view of structure, facing north. Plate 5 - Aerial shot of Kilskeagh 5, vernacular building, looking southwest.