EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Limerick
The sites at Ballingoola (I-V) comprised two prehistoric ring barrows (I & II) and three
possible ring-ditches (III-V) of probable prehistoric date. The finds from all these sites were
exclusively prehistoric in date.
Ballingoola III comprised a low mound with a broad shallow ditch prior to excavation. An
irregular band of charcoal and areas of burning defined the outline of a possible circular
house, c. 6m in diameter in the interior. It contained a central hearth and its walls appear to
have been formed of wattle and clay walls like the example at Grange. It had evidence for a
number of rebuilding phases with stones forming a footing for the walls in its later phases.
Two ditches could be traced around this building though the outer ditch may not have
completely enclosed the structure. The entrance of the ditches was to the east and appears
to have been originally paved and possibly defined by a series of posts- identified as black
circular areas at the ends of the inner ditch. Finds from the site comprised two pieces of
polished stone axes and a crude chipped flint from the northeast quadrant inside the inner
ditch. A large quantity of animal bone and charcoal were recovered from the fills of the
ditches on either side of the entrance.
Ballingoola IV had the appearance of a low mound with a flat top prior to excavation. There
was no indication of an entrance on the site. Excavation uncovered a further wattle and clay
walled house, c. 6m in diameter indicated by another circular band of charcoal. A spread of
charcoal in the centre indicated the location of a hearth. There was no evidence for any form
of rebuilding. The building was enclosed by a ditch. The area between the ditch entrance and
the house contained evidence for a paved surface. Two pieces of flint were recovered in the
south-eastern quadrant of the site outside the house though were possibly not associated
with this structure.
Ballingoola V was excavated in 1949 (O.S. 6"- 23 S. 10.3cm W. 19.5cm). It is situated on low
marshy ground like the other sites and appeared as a low mound prior to excavation with a
saucer-like central depression surrounded by a shallow ditch. The site had a diameter of 11m
and was similar in appearance to Ballingoola IV. A slight flecking of charcoal was identified at
the centre of the site and it was suggested that it may represent evidence for a building,
perhaps of the same type excavated at Ballingoola III and IV.
Ballingoola I and II were nearby prehistoric ring-barrows- c. 6m in diameter- consisting of a
level space enclosed by a shallow ditch and a very slight outer bank. Over two hundred
sherds of Neolithic and Beaker pottery, c. 70 flints- waste fragments, flakes, scrapers, blades
and two barbed-and-tanged arrowheads-, eight axe-chips and a small quantity of animal
bone were uncovered during excavations at these two sites.
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