EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Limerick
Coonagh West, Co. Limerick
Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure
Grid Ref: R53305687 (153300/156876)
SMR No: N/A
Excavation Licence: A005/2019
Excavation Duration/year: 2004-2005
Site Director: K. Taylor & G. Hull (TVAS Ltd.)
A gravel island at Coonagh West revealed an early medieval ditched enclosure with an
internal rectangular building as well as associated pits and a stone causeway (Fig. 189).
Prehistoric activity, two small buildings, two fulachta fiadh and a trackway, was identified at
the western edge of the drumlin. The site was completely excavated in 2004-05 in advance of
the proposed Limerick Southern Ring Road (Phase II). The dry gravel ridge was bounded on
its western, southern and south-western sides by the River Shannon and situated on the
margins of its estuarine alluvial zone (0-3m OD) at the edge of Coonagh village, west of
Limerick city.
The ditched enclosure was situated at the eastern end of the gravel ridge and had a diameter
of 36m with an entrance, defined by a series of gullies along the north-west side (the dryland
side). The ditch was typically 2.5m wide and 1m deep with no evidence for an
associated internal bank. A series of smaller curvilinear ditches were identified along its
western perimeter and suggest that the enclosure was redefined on at least one occasion.
Though the interior of the enclosure had suffered from erosion of loose gravel, the remains of
at least one building (a rectangular post-built structure, 4m by 1.6m) was identified in the
south-east quadrant. A number of pits and postholes were also identified in the interior and
exterior of the enclosure.
A number of external pits were excavated. One pit to the east of the enclosure produced a
quantity of animal bone and a pin-sharpening stone which appears to have been deliberately
deposited. Pits to the west of the enclosure had evidence for intense burning and one
produced a small crucible fragment indicating that fine metalworking was taking place at the
site. Iron slag from across the enclosure indicates that iron-smithing was also being
undertaken.
A rough stone causeway extended southwards from the dry ridge- on which the enclosure
was located- through marshy ground towards the river Shannon. The causeway was
discontinuous and extended for a distance of 67m. In contrast to the prehistoric track-way,
the causeway was positioned on top of the estuarine alluvium demonstrating a later date.
A pair of sixth/seventh century copper-alloy penannular ring-brooches (typologically similar to
a pair found at Ballinderry Crannóg II, Co. Offaly), several copper-alloy pins, a small stone
disc, a pin-sharpener stone and two quern stones was recovered from the fills of the
enclosing ditch. Other items recovered included a worked antler handle and a lathe-turned
bone spindle-whorl.
The excellent preservation conditions also produced a very large animal bone assemblage
(including antler and horn cores) and a quantity of fish-bone was also recovered.
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