archaeological report - caherweelder 4 , co. galway (ireland)

Issue 8 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation ReportE3708 - Caherweelder 4, Co. Galway

Well

Eachtra Journal

Final Archaeological Excavation Report

Co. Galway

Galway County Council and National Roads Authority

Enda O’Mahony & Finn Delaney

Caherweelder 4

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

E No:

:

Project:

Client:

E3708

N18 Oranmore to Gort

Enda O'MahonyExcavation Director

Written by:

October 2010Date:

Well

CORKThe Forge, Innishannon, Co. Cork

tel: 021 4701616 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]

GALWAY Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway

tel: 091 763673 | web: www.eachtra.ie | email: [email protected]

Final Archaeological Excavation Report

Caherweelder 4Co. Galway

Excavation Director

Enda O'Mahony

Written By

Enda O’Mahony & Finn Delaney

EACHTRAArchaeological Projects

© Eachtra Archaeological Projects 2010 The Forge, Innishannon, Co Cork

Set in 12pt Garamond

Printed in Ireland

i

Table of ContentsSummary��iii

Acknowledgements�� iv

1 Introduction�� 1

2 Backgroundtothescheme�� 1

3 Topography,geologyandhydrology�� 1

4 Historicalbackground�� 4

5 Sitedescription�� 4

6 Methodology�� 6

7 Resultsofexcavation�� 67�1� Natural�deposits�� 6

7�2� The�well�� 6

7�3� Ditch�features�� 8

7�4� Stone�deposit��10

8 Conclusion�� 10

9 References�� 11

ii

List of FiguresFigure1: DiscoveryseriesOSmapshowingtherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroad

andthelocationofalltheexcavationsites�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4ishighlighted�� 2

Figure2: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidonthefirsteditionOSmap(SheetGA103)�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�� 3

Figure3: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidonthe25inchOSmap(SheetGA103)�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�� 5

Figure4: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidontheRMP/SMRmapwhichisbasedonsecondeditionOSmap(SheetGA103)�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�� 7

Figure5: Post-excavationplanofthesite�� 9

List of PlatesPlate1: Pre-excavationphotographofthesitefromthesouth-west�� 6

Plate2: Post-excavationphotographofthesitefromthesouth-east�� 8

Caherweelder 4-e3708 http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/e3708-caherweelder4-co-galway/

iii

SummaryA well, marked on the Down Survey map from the 1650s was named as Peter’s Well on the first edition Ordnance Survey map and was listed as a Recorded Monument (GA103:084). Local information suggests that the well was backfilled about 100 years ago and that a nearby pool known as Toberawoneen Pool was deepened and widened by machine and replaced it as the local well. The excavation revealed the location of the blocked up well which was identified by the remains of a stone revetment which enclosed it. A number of ditches and the possible remains of a hard standing were also identified.

Townland Caherweelder Parish KileelyBarony KiltartanCounty GalwayMinisterial Order Number A045E Number E3708OS Map Sheet GA103National Grid Reference 144600/216361Elevation 25.8 m ODSite Type Well

iSSUe 8: eaChtra JoUrnal - iSSn 2009-2237 Final arChaeologiCal exCavation report

iv

AcknowledgementsThe excavation director was Enda O’Mahony and the site supervisors were Mike Duf-fin and Ewellina Chrobak. The field crew included Thomas Conway, Cecelia Falkendal, Anna Marciniak, Mirek Mazurek, Anna Okoniewska, Izabela Polchlopek and Elaine Roche. The senior archaeologist was Finn Delaney and the post-excavation manager was Jacinta Kiely. Choryna Kiely, Fillip Debniak and Fiona Greene were involved with the administration of the project. Illustrations are by Ben Blakeman and Maurizio Toscano. Specialist analysis was carried out by Margaret McCarthy, Tim Young, Farina Sternke, Mary Dillon and the 14 Chrono Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. Joseph O’Brien was the resident engineer for consultant engineers Hyder Tobins. The project was com-missioned by Galway County Council and was funded by the National Roads Authority. The Project Archaeologist was Jerry O’Sullivan.


1

1 IntroductionThis report constitutes the final excavation report of a recorded (GA103:084) well in the townland of Caherweelder, Co. Galway (Fig 1). The site was excavated as part of the archaeological excavation programme in advance of construction for N18 Gort to Oran-more road scheme. The site was located within the lands acquired for the scheme and was identified during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and was subject to archae-ological testing at Phase 1 (E3708) which identified the remains of the backfilled well.

2 Background to the schemeThe N18 Oranmore to Gort (Glenbrack to Rathmorrissey) national road scheme was approved by An Bórd Pleanála on 7 June 2007. The development will consist of approxi-mately 27 km of dual carriageway, and all associated works. The area of archaeological investigations lies within the footprint of the proposed scheme as defined by the Com-pulsory Purchase Order (CPO) published by Galway County Council on 1 August 2006. Eachtra Archaeological Projects was commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority to undertake Phase 1 archaeological testing and Phase 2 exca-vation of sites directly impacted by the proposed development.

3 Topography, geology and hydrologyThe underlying geology in the surrounding area is Carboniferous limestone of the Burren and Tubber formations bordered by Namurian shales and sandstones to the west, in Co. Clare and Devonian old red sandstone to the east, in the Slieve Aughty uplands. Glacial till overlies the bedrock to varying depths (0–5 m) and the soils derived from the till are generally deep well drained brown earths. The topsoils are characteristically deep and dry and, enriched by the limestone parent material, support moderately good grass pastures. There are boulder fields and expanses of bedrock exposure typical of karst limestone country.

Turloughs and swallow-holes are features of areas with an underlying limestone bed-rock which enables the ground water and water table to produce sometimes perplexing drainage systems. A turlough is shown on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of the area directly to the east of the excavation site (Fig 2). The turlough appears to be fed by a spring marked as ‘Toberawoneen pool’. Water features appear to be a characteristic of the surrounding landscape as a well marked as ‘William Connolly’s well’ is shown to the east of the turlough. A small spring to the south of the townland in close proximity to the lands acquired for the scheme is marked as ‘Pollbaun’. The second edition six inch and 25 inch Ordnance Survey maps show a drain/stream running east from the site of ‘Connolly’s Well’(Fig 3 and 4). The land commission subsequently excavated a deep field drain further to the south re-directing the earlier drain. This recent drain runs just to the north of the excavation area.

135000

135000

142500

142500

150000

150000

203200

203200

214400

214400

225600

225600

¢0 5 10

Kilometres

Ballinillaun 1E3888

Ballinillaun 1E3888

Roevehagh 1E3885

Roevehagh 1E3885

Caherweelder 4Caherweelder 4

Caherweelder 7E3826

Caherweelder 7E3826

Derrydonnell MoreE3867

Derrydonnell MoreE3867

Moyveela 3E3907

Moyveela 3E3907Moyveela 2

E3884Moyveela 2

E3884

ColdwoodE3887

ColdwoodE3887

Moyveela 1E3883

Moyveela 1E3883Ballinillaun 2

E3886Ballinillaun 2

E3886

LavallyE3869LavallyE3869

Caherweelder 6E3871

Caherweelder 6E3871

Caherweelder 5E3866

Caherweelder 5E3866Caherweelder 4

E3708Caherweelder 4

E3708

Caherweelder 3E3889

Caherweelder 3E3889

Caherweelder 1E3880

Caherweelder 1E3880

Caherweelder 2E3890

Caherweelder 2E3890

OwenbristyE3770

OwenbristyE3770

Drumharsna NorthE3868

Drumharsna NorthE3868

Drumharsna SouthE3872

Drumharsna SouthE3872

Cullenagh MoreE3881

Cullenagh MoreE3881

Ballyglass WestE3870

Ballyglass WestE3870

CPO line Excavation Areas

Roevehagh 2E4012

Roevehagh 2E4012


2

Figure1: DiscoveryseriesOSmapshowingtherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadandthelocationofalltheexcavationsites�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4ishighlighted�

CAHERWEELDER

KILTIERNAN EAST

CARANAVOODAUN

CAHERPEAK EAST

BALLYNABUCKY (DUNKELLIN BY)BALLYNASTAIG (DUNKELLIN BY)

KILTIERNAN EAST

RINN (ED KILLEELY)

CARANAVOODAUN

144000

144000

145000

145000

2157

10

2157

10

2171

05

2171

05


0 0.25 0.5

Kilometres ¢CPO line Excavation Areas


3

Figure2: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidonthefirsteditionOSmap(SheetGA103)�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�


4

4 Historical backgroundThe townland name Caherweelder derives from the Irish Cathair Mhaoilir. The first part of the placename is easily resolved as stemming from caher or a ‘stone fort’ and the first edition Ordnance Survey map illustrates and names a stone fort as ‘Caherweelder’ at the centre of the townland. The second part of the placename Maoilir is less apparent. It could refer to a family name such as ‘Mulder’ which would translate as ‘Mulder’s stone fort’. Maoil in Irish means to overflow and could be related to the turlough at the centre of the townland. Another possibility is that it derives from Maethail meaning ‘soft land’ which would be equally apt or Maol meaning bald, as in bald/dilapidated structure (roof-less), land or even bald (hornless) cattle (Joyce 1913 Vol I, 395).

The well is named on early edition Ordnance Survey maps as ‘Peter’s Well’. A well is marked in approximately this location on the Down survey map from the mid 1650s. The origins and customs of the well are not known and there is no record of its use as a holy well. Surveyors from UCG were unable to locate the well during a survey in 1982, but it was evident when inspected for the EIA (O’Sullivan 2006 and UCG 1997). It was identified as several large stones and numerous smaller ones forming a roughly circular arrangement around a wet hollow overgrown by briars and furze. According to local landowner, Mr. Pádraig Greaney, ‘the well was blocked up after a boy was drowned there about 100 years ago’. He also stated that the watering-rights for the well were shared by several communities, and subsequently transferred to an adjacent machine-cut pond (still extant) when the well was backfilled. Mr. Greaney also said deep machine-cut drains were dug on these lands in the 1980s.

5 Site descriptionThe excavated site is located towards the northern end of Caherweelder townland (NGR 144600/216361) (Fig 1 – 5). It lies just to the south of Turloughtrasna cross roads. There are good views from the site to the east and south but a low hill blocks views to the north and west (Plate 1). The area is used as rough pasture land for grazing cattle and is divided by deep drainage ditches lined with post and wire fences.

The excavation area lies to the south of a low, gorse covered, hill on the western edge of a turlough. The site is located adjacent to a deep drainage ditch which runs east-west to the north of the excavation area. The modern field drain was designed to re-direct the naturally occurring stream that originally ran from east to west 150 m north of the site. The site was identified by several large stones and numerous smaller ones which formed a roughly circular arrangement around a wet hollow overgrown by briars and furze.

143880

143880

144960

144960

2160

00

2160

00

2170

00

2170

00


0 0.25 0.5

Kilometres ¢CPO line Excavation Areas


5

Figure3: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidonthe25inchOSmap(SheetGA103)�Theexcava-tionsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�


6

6 MethodologyAn area measuring 144 sq m was stripped of sod and topsoil by hand. The site was then subjected to an intensive hand clean. The burnt mound was fully excavated by hand and recorded using the single-context recording system with plans and sections being produced at a scale of 1:20 or 1:10 as appropriate. A complete photographic record was maintained throughout the excavation.

7 Results of excavation

7.1 Natural depositsThe topsoil across the site had a maximum depth of 0.15 m and consisted of a mid-brown peat (C.1) with no inclusions and the subsoil was a sterile orange-grey silty clay with no inclusions.

7.2 The wellThe well (C.15) was sub-circular in plan and measured 2.5 m x 2 m and had a depth of 1.3 m. The well was framed to the north and west by five large boulders up to 1 m in length

Plate1: Pre-excavationphotographofthesitefromthesouth-west�

144000

144000

145000

145000

2158

00

2158

00

2169

00

2169

00


FULACHT FIADH

EARTHWORK

SOUTERRAIN

RINGFORT - CASHEL

RINGFORT - RATH

SETTLEMENT CLUSTER

WELL

HOLY WELLCPO LINE

EXCAVATION AREA

0 0.25 0.5

Kilometres ¢


7

Figure4: TherouteofthenewN18OranmoretoGortroadoverlaidontheRMP/SMRmapwhichisbasedonsecondeditionOSmap(SheetGA103)�TheexcavationsiteatCaherweelder4isalsohighlighted�


8

and sub angular in shape which were partly set into the natural subsoil (Plate 2). The up-per fill of the well consisted of large limestone boulders of up to 1 m in length. A plastic mid brown peat (C.10) underlay the upper stone deposit (C.5). The base of the well was filled with a shallow deposit of light greenish grey sandy silt (C.11).

A line of stones was located 1 m outside the inner larger stones to the south and east. They were located along a slight break in slope which fell away from this point towards the well. There was only one dry stone course surviving however collapsed stones were identified on either side. The stones ranged in size from 0.10 m to 0.25 m and were ir-regular in shape.

The well had been deliberately backfilled with large limestone blocks which may have originally derived from both the inner stone surround and the outer line of enclosing stones.

7.3 Ditch featuresA shallow linear north-south running ditch (C.13), possibly used to divert excess water from the well into the turlough was located just to the north. The ditch contained, a mid-grey silty clay (C.12) with frequent coarse pebbles, occasional medium-sized stones, and had a maximum depth of 0.28 m.

Plate2: Post-excavationphotographofthesitefromthesouth-east�

15

13

4

9

6

144589

144589

144597

144597

216391

216391

216399

216399

0 5 m

±


9

Figure5: Post-excavationplanofthesite�


10

A linear north-south running ditch (C.9) which may have formed the eastern extent of a pathway that is marked on the first edition map was located 3 m to the west of the well. This ditch contained two fills. The upper fill (C.7) was a mid-brown peat, similar to the topsoil (C.1) and had a maximum depth of 0.22 m. The lower fill (C.8) was a light grey sandy silt alluvium deposit, with a maximum depth of 0.1 m.

7.4 Stone depositA deposit of light grey/blue stones and pebbles (C.6) measuring 12 m x 6 m was located on the western fringes of the well and may have acted as hard standing associated with the use of the well.

8 ConclusionThe well appears to have been a very simple structure and nothing was found to expand or contradict the historical information gleaned from the landowner, Mr Greaney. The well was identified on the Down Survey map from the 1650s and was in use up to 100 yeas ago. The well bears the name Peter’s well but has no known religious associations. It is one of a number of wells in Caherweelder townland with Toberawoneen Pool located to the north and William Connolloy’s well to the north-west. A small spring named Pollbaun is located to the south. These small functional wells are a feature of the south Galway landscape. Another well was excavated at Ballyglass West in association with a Bronze Age burnt mound during the course of the current project. The well at Caherweelder is also located close to a number of burnt mound sites (Caherweelder 1, 2, 3 5 and 6). This association reflects the valuable commodity that is a reliable water source across all time periods.


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9 ReferencesDEHLG [undated] Sites & Monuments Record [= archive and database of information

on archaeological sites & monuments]. Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government.

Joyce, P W 1867–1913 Names of Irish Places, 3 vols. London & Dublin.

O’Sullivan, J 2006 ‘Archaeological Heritage,’ In Galway County Council Environmental Impact Statement for N18 Oranmore to Gort National Road Scheme.

UCG & OPW 1997 Sites & Monuments in County Galway [= statutory Record of Monuments & Places maps and handlists]. University College Galway for the Office of Public Works.

archaeological report - caherweelder 4 , co. galway (ireland)

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