Archaeological Report - Drumroe, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 11 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report
E3773 - Drumroe, Co. Offaly
Late Bronze Age structure, Iron Age pits and late medieval field boundaries

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

Drumroe
Co Offaly

Late Bronze Age structure, Iron Age pits and late
medieval field boundaries

Date: July 2011

Client: Laois County Council and National
Roads Authority
Project: N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1)
E No: E3773

Excavation Director: John Tierney
Written by: Enda O'Mahony and John Tierney

Drumroe
Co Offaly

Excavation Director

John Tierney

Written By

Enda O'Mahony and John Tierney

EACHTRA
Archaeological Projects

CORK GALWAY
The Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: info@eachtra.ie tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: galway@eachtra.ie

© Eachtra Archaeological Projects 2011
The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond
Printed in Ireland

Table of Contents
Summary��iii
Acknowledgements�� iv
1 Scope of the project �� 1
2 Route location�� 1
3 Receiving environment �� 3
4 Archaeological and historical background �� 4
Mesolithic(c�8000to4000BC)�� 4
Neolithic(c�4000to2000BC)�� 4
�
BronzeAge(c�2000to600BC)�� 4
IronAge(c�500BCtoAD500)�� 6
Earlymedievalperiod(c�AD400to1100)�� 6
Highandlatermedievalperiods(c�AD1100to1650)�� 7
Post-medievalperiod(c�1650tothepresent)�� 7
�
5 Site location and Topography �� 7
6 Excavation methodology �� 10
7 Excavation results �� 11
8 Discussion �� 26
9 References �� 31
Appendix 1 Stratigraphic Index �� 33
Appendix 2 Site Matrix ��34
Appendix 3 Groups and subgroups �� 37
�
Appendix 4 Lithics report �� 43
Appendix 5 Animal bone report �� 45
Appendix 6 Plant remains report��46
Appendix 7 Geophysics report ��50

i

List of Figures
Figure 1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey
Discovery Series map� �� 2
�
Figure 2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey
Discovery Series map with all the excavation sites marked� �� 5
Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of
Drumroe� �� 8
Figure 4: Location and extent of Drumroe E3773 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh� �� 9
Figure 5: Post excavation plan of Drumroe� �� 12
�
Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of Structure A at Drumroe� �� 13
�
Figure 7: Section and profile plans of hearth and post-hole C�46 and C�66 and post-holes
C�150 and C�171 associated with Structure A� �� 16
Figure 8: Section and profile plans of pits C�17, C�21 and C�134 at Drumroe� �� 18
Figure 9: Section and profile plans of ditches C�4 and C�41, ditch C�53 and ditches C�144 and
C�50 at Drumroe� ��20
Figure 10: Map of the geophysical data south of the site at Drumroe� ��25
Figure 11: Post-excavation plans of eight of the Bronze Age houses on the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh� ��27

List of Plates
Plate 1: Aerial view of Drumroe from east� �� 11
Plate 2: Post excavation of Structure A at Drumroe looking west� �� 14
Plate 3: Post excavation of Structure looking east, hearth C�46 in foreground at Drumroe� �� 17
Plate 4: Post-excavation of pit C�21 in Drumroe �� 17
Plate 5: Post-excavation of pit C�134 in Drumroe� �� 19
Plate 6: Section of ditches C�4 and C�41 from south at Drumroe� ��21
Plate 7: Section of the ditch C�53 looking east� ��21
Plate 8: Section of the ditch C�5 looking west� ��22
�
Plate 9: Convex End Scraper (E3773:1:2) ��23

List of Tables
Table 1: Dimensions of features associated with Structure A �� 14
Table 2 Dimensions of the ditches within the area of excavation ��22
Table 3: Radiocarbon dates from Drumroe ��24
Table 4: Radiocarbon dates for Bronze Age structures on the route of the N7� ��28

ii

Drumroe-e3773 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3773-drumroe-co-offaly/

Summary
The excavated remains at Drumroe comprised a Bronze Age house, a group of pits and
a number of field boundaries. The area of excavation measured 35 m north-south by 110
m east-west. The Bronze Age house was located at the eastern end of the site. The house
measured 7 m in diameter. It was defined by two incomplete rings of post-holes and slot
trenches, the inner ring was concentric with the outer. No trace of the rear of the struc-
ture survived. The porch measured c. 1 m in width by 1.7 m in length and faced directly
east. A widely dispersed group of sixteen pits and field boundaries were recorded in the
western portion of the site. The boundaries were of relict field systems. At least three
phases of ditches were recorded and a broad typology of ditches can be associated with
the three phases.

Road project name N7 Castletown to Nenagh
Site name Drumroe
E no. E3773
Site director John Tierney
Townland Drumroe
Parish Castletownely
County Offaly
Barony Clonlisk
OS Map Sheet No. OF47
National Grid Reference 205195 / 181703
Elevation 155m O.D.

iii

iSSue 11: eachtra Journal - iSSn 2009-2237 archaeological excavation report

Acknowledgements
The project was commissioned by Laois County Council and was funded by the Na-
tional Roads Authority under the National Development Plan (2000-2006). The project
archaeologist was Niall Roycroft. Kildare County Council supervised the archaeological
contract with RE staff of Pat Dowling and Colum Fagan. Kildare County Council Sen-
ior Executive Engineer was Joseph Kelly and Kildare County Council Senior Engineer
was John Coppinger. The senior archaeologist was John Tierney and the post-excavation
manager was Jacinta Kiely. Illustrations are by Maurizio Toscano, photographs by John
Sunderland and Eagle Photography and aerial photography by StudioLab. Specialist anal-
ysis was carried out by James Bonsall (Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics), Mary
Dillon, Penny Johnston, Margaret McCarthy, Farina Sternke and the 14 Chrono Centre
at Queen’s University Belfast.

iv


1 Scope of the project
Eachtra Archaeological Projects were commissioned by Laois County Council and the
National Roads Authority to undertake archaeological works along 17.1 km (Contact
1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road
scheme (EIS approved in November 2005). The scheme runs from the eastern junction
of the present N7 Nenagh Bypass, North Tipperary a tie in to the M7/M8 Portlaoise-
Castletown scheme to the south of Borris-in-Ossory in County Laois. The scheme is ap-
proximately 191 hectares. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs
from Clashnevin to Castleroan passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county
border regions. The Ministers Direction Number is A38.
It was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000-
2006. The total archaeological cost was administered by the National Roads Authority
through Laois County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our
cultural heritage. The purpose of the archaeological services project was to conduct ar-
chaeological site investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to
assess the nature and extent of any new potential archaeological sites uncovered.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in 2007
under licence E3371, E3372 and E3375-8 issued by Department of the Environment Heri-
tage and Local Government (DoEHLG) in consultation with the National Museum of
Ireland. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously un-
known sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing and to test sites of archaeo-
logical potential identified in the EIS.
Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites
identified within the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction
of the road. This phase of the project was carried out from June 2007 to February 2008
and excavations were conducted under the management of a Senior Archaeologist. A total
of 27 sites were excavated during this phase of works under separate licences issued by
DoEHLG.
A post-excavation assessment and strategy document was prepared in Phase 3 of the
project to present a management strategy for dealing with post-excavation work aris-
ing from archaeological works along the route of the new N7 Castletown to Nenagh. It
included a proposal for post-excavation and archiving work and a budget for the works.

2 Route location
The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh road is located in Counties North Tipperary
and Offaly (OF) (Figure 1). The project (Contract 1) involves the construction of c. 17.5
km of the N7 from Clashnevin east of Nenagh to Castleroan south-east of Dunkerrin. It
passes through the townlands of Clashnevin, Derrybane, Newtown, Lissanisky, Killeisk,
Garavally, Derrycarney, Garrynafanna, Gortnadrumman, Kilgorteen, Falleen, Knock-
ane, Clash, Park, Rosdremid (OF), Clynoe (OF), Cullenwaine, Moneygall, Greenhills,

1

182550 198900 215250

2
193300
193300

!
(
Nenagh
iSSue 11: eachtra Journal - iSSn 2009-2237

Derg (Lough)

182950
182950

172600
172600

0 5 10

182550 198900
Kilometres
215250
±
Figure 1: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map�
archaeological excavation report


Drumbaun, Busherstown (OF), Drumroe (OF), Moatquarter, Loughan (OF) and Cas-
tleroan (OF). The townlands are located in the parishes of Ballymackey, Cullenwaine,
Castletownely, Rathnaveoge, Finglas and Dunkerrin and the baronies of Upper Ormond,
Ikerrin and Clonisk,
The route begins at the eastern end of the Nenagh bypass at Clashnevin c. 5 km east
of Nenagh and continues eastward on the northern side of the existing N7 in Co. Tip-
perary. It crosses a number of third class roads to the north of Toomyvara and 0.7 km
east of Clash crossroads crosses the Ollatrim River. It extends into County Offaly directly
east of Park. From here it crosses the R490 0.6 km north of Moneygall. It extends back
in County Tipperary and through the demesne of Greenhills before crossing the existing
N7 at the junction of Greenhills and Drumbaun townlands. It crosses back into County
Offaly and climbs east into Busherstown and Drumroe. It crosses the Keeloge Stream
into Moatquarter in County Tipperary and extends northeast back into County Offaly
through the townlands of Loughan and Castleroan 1.4 km southwest of Dunkerrin.

3 Receiving environment
North Tipperary is bounded on the west by the River Shannon and Lough Derg with
the Silvermines, to the south, and small hills extending towards Devilsbit and Borrisnoe
Mountains to the east. The mountains are composed largely of Silurian strata and Old
Red Sandstone. Copper, silver and lead deposits have been mined in the Silvermines. The
geology of the lowlands consists of Carboniferous limestone covered by glacial drift in
addition to tracts of raised bog.
The western portion of the study area is drained by the Ollatrim River which flows
westwards into the River Ballintotty which in turns drains into the River Nenagh. The
eastern portion is drained by the Keeloge Stream and other small water sources. These rise
in the foothills of the Silvermine Mountains and flow north. The Keeloge drains into the
Little Brosna River c. 1 km south of Shinrone, Co Offaly. The Brosna turns north and
drains into the Shannon south of Banagher.
The largest population centre in the area is Nenagh. The smaller population centres,
are Toomyvara, Moneygall and Dunkerrin.
The soils on the route are characterised by 80% grey brown podzolics, 10% gleys, 5%
brown earths and 5% basis peat. They are derived from glacial till of predominantly Car-
boniferous limestone composition. These soils occur in Tipperary and Offaly and have a
wide use range being suitable for both tillage and pasture (Gardiner and Radford 1980,
97-99). Land use along the route was a mix of grassland devoted to intensive dairying and
cattle-rearing and tillage.

3


4 Archaeological and historical background
Archaeological sites of numerous periods were discovered along the route of the new road
(Figure 2). The periods are referred to as follows: Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC), Neo-
lithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC), Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600 BC), and Iron Age (c. 500 BC
to AD 500), early medieval period (c. AD 500 to 1100), medieval period (c. AD 1100 to
1650), post-medieval period (c. AD 1650 to the present).

Mesolithic (c. 8000 to 4000 BC)
The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c.
8000 BC - 4000 BC). The majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupa-
tion has come from the river valleys. No evidence for the Mesolithic was recorded on the
route.

Neolithic (c. 4000 to 2000 BC)
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the begin-
nings of the clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more
sedentary in nature. The most important Neolithic site in the vicinity was at Tullahedy
recorded on the route of the Nenagh by-pass. It was a specialist chert arrow manufactur-
ing site.
No evidence for a Neolithic site was recorded on the route but stone tools dating to
the Neolithic were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Clash E3660, Cullenwaine E3741
and Greenhills 2 and 3 E3637 and E3658. Stone tools dating to the late Neolithic/Early
Bronze Age were recorded at Busherstown E3661, Castleroan E3909, Cullenwaine E3741,
Derrybane 1 E3585, Drumroe E3773, Greenhills 1 E3638 and Moatquarter E3910. Neo-
lithic pottery was recorded at Cullenwaine E3741 and Drumbaun E3912.

Bronze Age (c. 2000 to 600BC)
The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy and an increase in
settlement and burial sites. Copper ores were mined and copper, bronze and gold items
manufactured. The range of burial site types includes cist graves, pit and urn burials,
cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and stand-
ing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites
are known. The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh. These monuments
survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt, packed with heat-shattered stones, and
generally situated close to a water source. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cook-
ing places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth and subsequently placed in a trough
of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot stones and wrapped food
was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small stones, ash and
charcoal that were removed, forming the basis of the familiar mound.

4

190400 196200 202000 207800
Drumroe-e3773

186400
186400

Drumroe 1
Castleroan 1
E 3909
Busherstown 1
E 3661
Loughan 1
Greenhills 3 E 4000
E 3658

Moneygall 2
Culleenwaine 1 E 3635
E 3741 Moatquarter 1
Clynoe 2 E 3910
E 3774

181800
181800

Park 1 Drumroe 1
Garravally Kilgorteen 1 E 3659 E 3773
E 3589 E 3739
Drumbaun 2
Derrybane 2 E 3912
E 3591 Greenhills 1 Greenhills 2
E 3638 E 3637
Clashnevin 2
E 3590 Clash 1 Park 2
E 3660 E 3772

Derrycarney 1
E 3740

Clashnevin 1 Derrybane 1 Killeisk 1
E 3586 E 3585 E 3587

177200
177200

0 3 6

Kilometres ±
190400 196200 202000 207800

Figure 2: The route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh overlain on the Ordnance Survey Discovery Series map with all the excavation sites marked�
http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3773-drumroe-co-offaly/

5


Two new fulachta fiadh or burnt mounds were recorded at Clashnevin 1 E3586, Cull-
enwaine E3741 and six at three separate locations in Greenhills, E3638, E3637 and E3658.
Evidence of nine roundhouses or partial round structures were recorded; two at Cas-
tleroan E3909, Derrybane 2 E3591 and Drumbaun 2 E3912 and one at Clash E3660,
Drumroe E3773 and Moatquarter E3910.

Iron Age (c. 500 BC to AD 500)
Up to recently there was little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in Munster.
Settlement sites are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman,
2000) while the material culture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, believed
to have marked tribal boundaries, and hillforts are two of the most visible monuments
of the period. Ten percent of sites excavated on NRA road schemes in recent years have
produced Iron Age dates. The dates have led to the identification of 30 new Iron Age sites
in Munster from road schemes in counties Cork, Limerick and Tipperary (McLaughlin
2008, 51). These include a ditched enclosure in Ballywilliam and a wooden trackway in
Annaholty Bog excavated on the route of the N7 Nenagh-Limerick (Taylor 2008, 54).
Three Iron Age dates were returned from pits in Castleroan E3909 and Drumroe
E3773 on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Contract 1).

Early medieval period (c. AD 400 to 1100)
The early medieval period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to Ireland. The
characteristic monument type of the period is the ringfort. Ringforts are the most nu-
merous archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30,000
and 50,000 illustrated on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s
(Barry 1987). As a result of continued research, the construction of these monuments has
a narrow date range during the early medieval period between the 7th and 9th centuries
AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts, they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure functioning as settlements for all classes of secu-
lar society (Stout 1997).
North Tipperary is rich in early ecclesiastical sites and the remains of these religious
centres are at the core of some of the towns and villages. Roscrea, for example, was chosen
by St Cronan as a location for his monastery in the seventh century as it was located at
the crossroads on the Slighe Dála, an important roadway in early medieval times (NIAH
2006, 4-8).
Early medieval activity was recorded at five sites on the route of the N7 Castletown to
Nenagh (Contract 1). A series of corn-drying kilns were recorded at Busherstown E3661.
A denuded ringfort (OF046-013) was excavated at Clynoe 2 E3774. An area of iron-
working and associated pits was recorded at Drumbaun E3912. Iron working activity,
corn-drying kilns and settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659. A group of pits
and associated ditch were recorded at Drumroe E3773.

6


High and later medieval periods (c. AD 1100 to 1650)
This period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans and the building of tow-
er houses. The Anglo-Normans obtained charters in the thirteenth century for the towns
of Nenagh, Roscrea, Thurles and Templemore and established markets. Nenagh grew
rapidly in the aftermath of the granting of the lands of Munster to Theobald fitzWalter in
1185 (ibid. 8). Moated sites represent the remains of isolated, semi-defended homesteads
in rural areas. They were build mainly in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth cen-
turies in counties, such as Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, mid-Cork and Limerick, that
were colonised by English settlers (O’Conor 1998, 58). The Archaeological Inventory for
North Tipperary lists 39 moated sites (2002, 298).
A medieval enclosure and associated field systems were recorded at Killeisk E3587. A
newly recorded moated site was excavated at Busherstown E3661. A series of ditches and
settlement activity was recorded at Park 1 E3659.

Post-medieval period (c. 1650 to the present)
The post-medieval period is characterised by mills, limekilns, workhouses, country hous-
es and associated demesnes, vernacular buildings and field systems (Figure 3). A small
Demesne associated with a county house was recorded at Greenhills.

5 Site location and Topography
The site at Drumroe 1 was located in the northern portion of the townland (Figure 4).
Drumroe townland ranges in height from 136m O.D. to 200m O.D., slopes to the north-
east and contains 296 acres of land. The townland name most likely refers to the “Red
Hill” derived from Drum meaning “hill/ridge” and Roe meaning “Red”. The townland is
enclosed by a local tertiary road to the north which facilities a journey between Money-
gall and Moatquater. The townland boundary to the east comprised a small stream. The
southern and western townland boundaries are field boundaries. The southern, western,
and eastern boundaries are also the county boundary between Offaly and Tipperary
North Riding. In the north eastern corner of the townland there are the remains of a
Church and a Graveyard (OF047-009 and OF047-009001). The townland and the sur-
rounding landscape is undulating with both tillage and pastoral agricultural being the
predominant land use. The field boundaries show no significant alterations since the mid-
19th century. There is a very gentle gradient in the area of the excavation which sloped
from south to north. The moated site at Busherstown E3661 was located c. 400m to the
west and downslope of Drumroe.

7

204713 205713

8
Castleroan
LOUGHAN

ea m
Loughan

S tr

182716
182716

e
lo g
K ee
CASTLEROAN

Moatquarter

BUSHERSTOWN

182066
182066

MOATQUARTER

Busherstown

Drumbaun 2
DRUMROE

0 300 600

DRUMBAUN Drumroe
¥ Meters
204713 205713

Figure 3: Portion of the Ist edition Ordnance Survey Map OF47 showing the location of Drumroe�

204840 205210 205580
Drumroe-e3773

K ee

181932
181932

loge St

BUSHERSTOWN
14
60
ream
0

14
50
0

144

135 00
00

136 00
137 0
0
143
00

181702
181702

138 0
0
142 00

139 00
140 00
141 00
DRUMROE

181472
181472

Drumroe 1 (E3773)
0 100 200
Metres ±
204840 205210 205580

Figure 4: Location and extent of Drumroe E3773 on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�

9


6 Excavation methodology
The site was mechanically stripped of topsoil under strict archaeological supervision.
Stripping was done with a tracked machine with a flat toothless bucket. Topsoil stripping
commenced in the areas of identified archaeology and continued radially outward until
the limit of the road take was reached or until the limit of the archaeological remains
was fully defined. Two areas were stripped systemically. The area stripped measured ap-
proximately 3850sq metres. A grid was set up in the excavation areas and all archaeological
features were sufficiently cleaned, recorded and excavated so as to enable an accurate and
meaningful record of the site to be preserved. The excavation, environmental sampling,
site photographs, site drawings, find care and retrieval, on-site recording and site archive
was as per the Procedures for Archaeological works as attached to the licence method
statements for excavation licences.
The site was excavated from the 17th November 2007 to the 8th December 2007. The
crew comprised one director, two supervisors and 8 site assistants. Only areas within the
LMA (lands made available) were resolved.
The full record of excavated contexts is recorded in the context register and the strati-
graphic matrix (Appendix 1). Detailed stratigraphic descriptions are found in the groups
and sub-groups text (Appendix 2). The context register maybe viewed in the EAPOD
(Eachtra Archaeological Projects office database) in the accompanying CD.

10


Plate 1: Aerial view of Drumroe from east�

7 Excavation results
A Bronze Age structure, a cluster of pits and medieval ditches were excavated at Drumroe
1 (Figure 5 and Plate 1).

Habitation Area
The remnants of a house, Structure A, were identified in the eastern portion of the site.
The structure was defined by an arc of posts, a porch and two slot trenches. Only the east-
ern portion or front of the structure survived. The reason for this is unclear. The ground
surface was level, the topsoil was a similar depth across the site and the subsoil showed
no signs of significant alterations from activities such as deep ploughing, furrows or land
reclamation. The rear of the structure may not have survived if the foundations had not
pierced the subsoil, the basic elements of the structure may have been only been driven
into the topsoil.

Structure A
Structure A was located on the eastern edge of the site (Figure 6 and Plate 2). It was de-
fined by two incomplete rings of post-holes and slot trenches, the inner ring was concen-
tric with the outer. No trace of the rear (western and northern sections) of the structure

11

205200 205240

12
±

140

181700
181700

82 134
81
105 133

5 50 4
153
41
149
O
)
17 19 159 m O.D.

21
18
53 73
27
52 75 112
63
97
Structure 28
32 3
99 49

181675
181675

113

144

0 25 m
205200 205240

Figure 5: Post excavation plan of Drumroe�


±
112

180

96
123
185
66
200 187

46 198 142

104
48 Structure 128

173
116

161 195
162 172 150
165 193
171
164
204 209
206
208
191
3
188
124
201

0 2.5 m

Figure 6: Post-excavation plan of Structure A at Drumroe�

survived. The estimated internal diameter of the structure measured 7 m and had an in-
ternal floor space of c. 38sq m (Area = π x R2).
The inner ring comprised six postholes (C.112, C.188, C.171, C.173, C.198, C.123 and
C.112). Three of the posts (C.198, C.123 and C.112) were located on the northern circuit
of the inner ring and three (C.173, C.171 and C.188) on the southern. The interval be-
tween the posts was reasonably regular with the exception of one posthole (C.112) which
was located on the northern circuit 4.8 m northwest of post C.123. Stake-hole C.200 was
located adjacent to post C.198 and stake-holes C.172 and C.206 adjacent to post C.171.
The outer ring comprised two slot trenches (C.180 and C.201) which measured more
than 2.5 m in length. One post-hole C.209 was located in the slot trench C.180 and two
post-holes (C.185 and C.187) in the slot trench C.201. Each of the slot trenches termi-
nated in a post-hole (C.104 and C.116 respectively) which formed the western end of the
entrance porch. Post-holes (C.128 and C.150) which were located 1.7 m to the east formed

13


Plate 2: Post excavation of Structure A at Drumroe looking west�

the eastern end of the entrance porch. The porch measured c. 1 m in width by 1.7 m in
length and faced directly east. Three other features, a post-hole (C.142) located on the
northern side of the porch and two stake-holes (C.193 and C.195) located on the southern
side, were associated with the porch.

Structure A
Context Dimensions (mm)
C.188 0.26 X 0.2 X 0.2
C.171 0.3 X 0.26 X 0.3
C.173 0.21 X 0.19 X 0.15
C.198 0.26 X 0.23 X 0.23
C.123 0.17 X 0.15 X 0.30
C.112 0.32 X 0.24 X 0.27
C.185 (in slot trench C.180) 0.08 X 0.06 X 0.12
C.104 (Porch) 0.26 X 0.25 X 0.31
C.116 (Porch) 0.29 X 0.2 X 0.4
C.128(Porch) 0.33 X 0.28 X 0.3
C.150(Porch) 0.26 X 0.26 X 0.36
C.180 (slot trench) 2.8 X 0.15 X 0.12
C.201 (slot trench) 2.7 X 0.18 X 0.12
Table 1: Dimensions of features associated with Structure A

14


A post-hole C.124 and a stake-hole C.191 were located on the exterior of the slot
trench C.201 2 m south of the porch.
A radiocarbon date from the external slot trench (C.201) returned a Late Bronze Age
date of cal BC 899-815 (UB-15085) from alder charcoal.

Internal Features
Two post holes (C.48 and C.66) and a pit (C.46) were located in the centre of the struc-
ture (Plate 3). One of the postholes C.66 was located on the western edge of the pit and
the other was located 0.5 m to the south. The pit measured 1 m in width by 0.33 m in
depth and may have functioned as a hearth. The post-holes may have served a structural
purpose associated with the roof or they may have been related to domestic activates
(Figure 7).
A group of six stake-holes (C.161, C.162, C.164, C.165, C.204 and C.206) were lo-
cated to the south of the hearth and may have formed, albeit a slightly irregular, internal
screen or division. A small slot trench C.208 was located to the west of the screen.
The pit C.46 was sampled and returned an early medieval date of cal AD 681-778
(UB–15087).

Pits and stakeholes
A widely dispersed group of sixteen pits (C.17, C.19, C.21, C.32, C.49, C.52, C.63, C.75,
C.81, C.99, C.113, C.133, C.134, C.140, C.149 and C.153) and two stake-holes (C.82 and
C.97) were recorded in the western portion of the site (see Figure 5). Small quantities of
charred plant remains were recovered from six of the pits (C.17, C.21, C.52, C.75, C.81
and C.140). A relatively large portion of charred hazelnut shell fragments were retrieved
from pits C.75 and C.81. Small amounts of cereal grains, oat and barley were also recov-
ered. Three animal bones from a large mammal were recovered from pit C.21.
Three of the pits (C.49, C.63 and C.75) were located 24 m to the west of the structure.
Pit C.75 was the largest of the three pits and the deepest of the pits recorded in the west-
ern section of the site. A single stake-hole was located on the south-eastern edge of the pit.
Five of the pits (C.19, C.21, C.52, C.149 and C.153) were located in a north-south
orientated line, spanning a distance of 12 m. Two of them C.21 and C.52 were located on
either side of the ditch C.18, 4 m to the east of the eastern ditch terminal (Plate 4).
A large shallow pit C.134 was located 9 m to the north of the line of five pits on the
northern edge of the area of excavation (Plate 5).
Three other pits (C.32, C.99 and C.113) were located on the southern side of ditch
C.18. Two of them were small in size and could have been the base of post-holes. They
were located within 1.5 m of one another and 7.5 m west of the third pit C.113.
Four pits were located at the eastern end of the site. Three (C.81, C.133 and C.140)
were located on the western side of the ditch C.5 and one, C.17, on the eastern side. Pit
C.17 was the largest of the pits recorded in this area (Figure 8).
An Iron Age date of cal BC 386–204 was returned from pit C.81 (UB–15044).

15

16
N7CN
Drumroe 1
South facing section of Posthole C.150
N7CN
Drumroe 1
Profile of Pit C.44 and C.66

C.148

#

C.66
C.46 #

#
#

C.150

N7CN
Drumroe 1
East facing section of Pit C.46
Drumroe 1
N7CN
SW facing section of posthole C.171
# # #
# C.47
# #
# C.59 # #
#
# C.62 #
#
C.61 #
C.182
# #
C.46 #
#
#
#
#

0 1000 mm C.171

0 500 mm

Figure 7: Section and profile plans of hearth and post-hole C�46 and C�66 and post-holes C�150 and C�171 associated with Structure A�


Plate 3: Post excavation of Structure looking east, hearth C�46 in foreground at Drumroe�

Plate 4: Post-excavation of pit C�21 in Drumroe

17

18
N7CN N7CN
Drumroe 1 Drumroe 1
West facing section of Pit C.134 North facing section of C.21

C.3
6 C.38
C.143 # #
# # C.37
C.35
C.134 C.21

N7CN
Drumroe 1
NW facing section of Pit C.17

C.22

C.23
C.17

0 1000 mm

Figure 8: Section and profile plans of pits C�17, C�21 and C�134 at Drumroe�


Plate 5: Post-excavation of pit C�134 in Drumroe�

Field Boundaries
There were no extant field boundaries recorded within the area of excavation but a series
of back filled field boundaries (C.3, C.4, C.5, C.18/C.53, C.41, C.50, C.105 and C.144)
were recorded at Drumroe. The ditches were all broad U-shaped in plan. Four of the
ditches (C.4, C.41, C.50 and C.144) were orientated north-south. They extended beyond
the area of excavation to the south and north and were recorded in the field to the south
by the geophysical survey (see figure 10). Ditch C.144 and C.41 formed two segments of
one ditch, C.41 was the northern section and C.144 the southern section (Plate 6). There
was a gap of 1 m between the terminals of the two segments of the ditch.
The ditch C.144 and C.41 were recut by ditches C.50 and C.4 respectively (Figure
9). The two latter ditches were orientated north-south and were located parallel to one
another. There was a distance of c. 2m between them. A field bank was probably located
in this intervening space but no trace of the bank was recorded.
Ditch C.18 and C.53 were orientated east-west and formed two segments of one ditch
(Plate 7). They curved across the site and were not cut in the same straight manner as the
modern ditches (C.3 and C.5) on site. They were probably associated with ditches C.41
and C.144 as the eastern terminal of ditch C.18 was located between the gap in ditch
C.41 and C.144. The western terminal of the ditch C.18 was located 0.7 m from the ter-
minal of ditch C.53. This gap was slightly staggered, that is to say that the terminals of
the two segments extended beyond one another.

19

20
N7CN
N7CN
Drumroe 1
Drumroe 1
North facing section of Ditch C.4 and C.41
NE facing section of Ditch C.53

C.15 C.70
#
C.42 C.72
#
C.16
C.71
C.43

C.4
C.41
C.53

N7CN
Drumroe 1
North facing section of Ditch C.144 and C.50

C.146 C.145 C.76

C.64
C.147
C.77
C.50
C.144

0 1000 mm

Figure 9: Section and profile plans of ditches C�4 and C�41, ditch C�53 and ditches C�144 and C�50 at Drumroe�


Plate 6: Section of ditches C�4 and C�41 from south at Drumroe�

Plate 7: Section of the ditch C�53 looking east�

21


Plate 8: Section of the ditch C�5 looking west�

An early medieval date of cal AD 897–1017 (UB–15086) was returned from charcoal
from a fill of ditch C.18.
Two of the ditches (C.3 and C.5) were orientated NE–SW (Plate 8). Ditch C.3 was
located at the eastern end of the site and ditch C.5 at the western end, c. 50 m apart. Frag-
ments of clay pipe stems were recorded in the ditch fills. Ditch C.5 was marked on the
first edition of the Ordnance Survey map OF 47.

Context Dimensions (m) (l x w x d) Orientation Associated with Period
C.3 23 x 2.4 x 0.6 NE-SW C.5 Modern
C.4 29.7 x 1.7 x 0.54 N-S C.41, C.50 and Late
C.144 medieval?
C.5 43.5 x 1.7 x 0.65 NE-SW C.3 and C.105 Modern
C.18 30 x 0.89 x 0.32 E-W C.53 Early
medieval?
C.41 20 x 0.75 x 0.3 N-S C.4, C.50 and Late
C.144 medieval?
C.50 32 x 0.97 x 0.34 N-S C.4, C.41 and Late
C.144 medieval?
C.53 35 x 1.3 x 0.5 E-W C.18 Early
medieval?
C.105 18 x 0.85 x 0.45 N-S C.5 Modern
C.144 6 x 1.01 x 0.47 N-S C.4, C.41 and Late medieval?
C.50
Table 2 Dimensions of the ditches within the area of excavation

22


Plate 9: Convex End Scraper (E3773:1:2)

The earlier ditches were slightly curved in form in comparison to the straighter mod-
ern ditches, some of which were parallel to one another with space between for an inter-
vening bank.

Lithic artefacts
The lithic artefacts were examined by Farina Sternke (Appendix 4). A flint convex end
scraper (E3773:1:2) (Plate 9) were recovered from the topsoil. The assemblage dates to the
Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age period.

Bone remains
The bone samples were examined by Margaret McCarty (Appendix 5). Three bone frag-
ments were recovered from one of the pits C.21. The bones belonged to a large-sized
animal such as cattle or horse.

Plant remains
The plant remains were examined by Penny Johnston (Appendix 6). The cereals from
this site were identified as barley (3 grains were recovered) and a single grain each of
emmer wheat and oat. Most of the cereals were not identifiable to type because of the
poor state of preservation of the assemblage. Hazelnut shell fragments were found in the
majority of the samples, nine samples in total. Tiny amounts of plant remains, mostly
hazelnut shell fragments, and indeterminate cereal grains and one grain of emmer wheat

23


were recovered from five contexts (C.46, C.104, C.112, C.180 and C.198) associated with the
house. This suggests that only small-scale domestic debris was charred at the house.

Charcoal
The charcoal was examined by Mary Dillon in advance of radiocarbon dating.

Radiocarbon dates
Radiocarbon analysis was carried out by the 14 Chrono Centre in Queen’s University
Belfast. Dates were calibrated using Calib Rev5.0.2 (©1986-2005 M.Stuiver P.J. Re-
imer) and in conjunction with Stuiver Reimer 1993 and Reimer et al. 2004.

Lab no. Context Material Un-calibrated δ 13 C Calibrated BC 2– Period
date sigma dates
UB– C.85 Hazel charcoal 2230 +/- 27 -28.1 cal BC 386-343 Late Bronze Age/
15044 from pit C.81 325-204 Iron age

UB– C.202 Alder charcoal 2708 +/ - 18 -25.2 cal BC 899-815 Late Bronze Age
15085 from slot trench
C.201 Structure A
UB– C.33 Charcoal (Hazel) 1074 +/ - 21 -27.3 cal AD 897-922 Early medieval
15086 from ditch C.18 942-1017 period

UB– C.61 Charcoal (Prunus) 1259 +/- 17 -29.3 cal AD 681-778 Early medieval
15087 from pit C.46 period
Table 3: Radiocarbon dates from Drumroe

Geophysical Testing
Some geophysical testing, a magnetic gradiometer survey and a magnetic susceptibil-
ity survey, was undertaken by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics (Appendix 7) at
Drumroe. The work was undertaken in the field to the south which bordered the Lands
Made Available (Figure 10). A number of ditches were detected across the survey area.
Some of the ditches represent a continuation of modern north-south field boundaries.
The edge of the probable zone of archaeological activity was also established with the
detection of an arcing enclosure ditch, which was broadly aligned east-west. A number
of single and interconnecting ditches were also detected which may be archaeological or
agricultural in origin.

24

205171 205242

±
Drumroe-e3773

Medieval
boundary Post medieval
boundary

181680
181680

Structure

181640
181640

Gradiometer
interpretation
Ditch
Plough furrows

0 50 m
205171 205242

Figure 10: Map of the geophysical data south of the site at Drumroe�

25


8 Discussion
Excavations at Drumroe revealed an area of settlement that comprised one structure that
was dated to the Later Bronze Age. In addition to the structure, a group of pits and a
series of field boundaries were recorded in the area of the excavation.

Bronze Age Settlement site
The partial remnants of a Late Bronze Age structure were located in the southeastern
corner of the site. The structure was defined by two incomplete rings, which constituted
about two thirds of the structure, the rear or western section of the structure had not
survived. The inner ring comprised six post-holes. The outer ring comprised two slot
trenches. A porch formed by four post-holes, two of which were located in the terminals
of the slot trenches, faced east and extended beyond the outer ring of the structure.
A pit, which was interpreted as a hearth and two associated postholes were located in
the interior of the structure. Charcoal from the base of the hearth was dated to the early
medieval period. Two scenarios are possible either the hearth was not associated with the
structure, despite the apparent central location in the interior of Structure A or there was
a problem with the charcoal.
There are two main hypotheses relating to the construction of the houses. Firstly, that
an internal ring of posts supported the roof and immediately outside this a clay wall was
built. No evidence for the clay wall, except for the empty space, survived. Directly outside
the clay wall further roof support was offered by external support posts and associated
slot trenches. The relationship between the external and internal posts may indicate the
location of the wall top cross beams. The second hypothesis is that a clay wall was built
outside and against the inner ring of posts which formed part of a wattle screen and that
this wall ran along the line of the outer ring of posts and pits.
A recent survey of Bronze Age houses in southern Ireland lists a total of 41 Bronze
Age sites where 81 individual structures have been recorded (Doody 2007, 86–7). How-
ever, surveys are quickly out of date at the moment, since development-led archaeology
has resulted in an explosion of Bronze Age archaeology (Bruck 2009a, xvi). The excava-
tion of ten Bronze Age houses on the route of the N7 Castletown to Nenagh will further
increase this number (Figure 11). Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for eight of the
ten structures on the N7 from the townlands of Clash, Castleroan, Derrybane, Drum-
baun, Drumroe and Moatquarter.
There is a diversity in house size, internal pattern and construction materials. In Brit-
ain there appears to be a number of regionally distinct house styles (Doody 2007, 97)
but there is no established evidence for regional variation amongst Irish examples as yet.
However, the discovery of axial symmetry in several houses excavated in Tipperary and
North Cork has been noted (Tierney and Johnston 2009, 105). A similar phenomenon
has also been identified in Britain (Guilbert 1982, 68– 9; Brück 1999). Three of the round
post-built structures, Structure 1 in Derrybane and two in Drumbaun, excavated on
the N7 were constructed along the principle of axial symmetry. This means that house

26


Drumbaun
±
Structure A Derrybane 2
Structure 1

Drumbaun
Structure B Derrybane 2
Structure 2

Castleroan
Structure A Castleroan
Structure B

Moatquarter

Drumroe

Hearth
0 10 m

Figure 11: Post-excavation plans of eight of the Bronze Age houses on the N7 Castletown to Nenagh�

27


was arranged on an axis between the entrance and a post-hole directly opposite it, two
post-holes flank the entrance and the remaining post-holes have a corresponding partner
at either side of the axis. The distance between the post-holes on either side of the axis is
roughly the same (Tierney and Johnston ibid). Three other incomplete structures may
have originally been constructed along the same principles.

Site Name E No. Structure Calibrated BC 2-sigma dates No of dates Period
Clash E3660 Structure 1 1111-920 and 895-800 2 MBA-
LBA
Castleroan E3909 Structure A 1249-1016 1 MBA
Castleroan E3909 Structure B 1011-914 1 LBA
Derrybane E3591 Structure 1 741-406 and 833-797 2 LBA
Derrybane E3591 Structure 2 794-550 1 LBA
Derrybane E3591 Structure 3 1929-1773 1 EBA
Drumbaun E3912 Structure A 1436-1316 1 MBA
Drumbaun E3912 Structure B 1520-1442 1 MBA
Drumroe E3773 Structure 1 895-815 1 LBA
Moatquarter E3910 Structure 1 1495-1321, 1432-1316 and 1429-1315 3 MBA
Table 4: Radiocarbon dates for Bronze Age structures on the route of the N7�

Three of the round post-built structures, the two in Drumbaun, and one in Derry-
bane excavated on the N7 were constructed along the principle of axial symmetry. This
means that house was arranged on an axis between the entrance and a post-hole directly
opposite it, two post-holes flank the entrance and the remaining post-holes have a corre-
sponding partner at either side of the axis. The distance between the post-holes on either
side of the axis is roughly the same (Tierney and Johnston ibid). Three other incomplete
structures, may have originally been constructed along the same principles.
Internal hearths were recorded in four of the structures illustrated in Figure 11, in
Structure A Castleroan, Structure B Drumbaun, Structure 1 Derrybane 2 and Moat-
quarter and a possible hearth in Structure B Castleroan. Hearth-side furniture including
stakes which formed tripods, were associated with the internal hearths in Derrybane 2
and Moatquarter.
The front section of the house at Clash, Drumroe and Structure B Castleroan was
recorded but the no trace of the rear had survived. No evidence of definite central roof
support posts were recorded in any of the structures. Internal divisions were recorded in
both structures in Drumbaun, in one of the structures in Castleroan and evidence of
multi screens or phases of screens were recorded at Moatquarter.
External slot trenches, which followed the curve of the inner ring of posts, were re-
corded at both Structures 1 and 2 in Drumbaun and at Drumroe. These extended from
one or both sides of the entrance posts for lengths of upto 6 m, and have been termed
‘eye-brows’. They may have functioned as drip gullies for water from the roof or they may
have been part of a revetment for the outer face of a clay wall which would have been po-
sitioned between the inner ring of posts and the slot trench itself. In the majority of cases
the slot trench tails off and was not recorded at the rear of the house. An exception was
recorded at Moatquarter where the slot trench encircled the rear rather than the entrance

28

Archaeological Report - Drumroe, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Drumroe, Co. Offaly (Ireland)

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