EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Waterford
Ballykilmurry, Co. Waterford
Early Medieval Enclosure & Souterrain
Grid Ref: S31570478 (231577/104781)
SMR No: WA014-024001
Excavation Licence: E000961
Excavation Duration/Year: Summer 1933
Site Director: L. Mongey
Excavations were undertaken at a univallate enclosure in Ballykilmurry townland to
investigate a souterrain known to exist in the interior. These excavations also recorded three
piles of stones, identified as the possible remnants of a structure of uncertain date (Fig. 281).
The enclosure is situated on a low hill and commands considerable views across the
countryside to the south. It is one of sixteen enclosures in a space of land, approximately
4km in diameter, and partially encircled by the Comeragh Mountains. The enclosure had a
diameter of 49m at its greatest part, and was surrounded by an earthen bank (partially
stone-faced) which existed in places to a height of over 2m. The entrance was on the eastern
side and was defined by two external annexes on each of its sides. There was no visible trace
of an enclosing ditch. Three piles of stones in the centre were uncovered in the interior. One
pile to the west appears to have defined a rectangular structure (3.05m by 1.07m, and 1.07m
high. The second to the northeast was oval in shape and smaller in dimensions and a third
small pile in the centre of the site was un-described. These appear not to have been
investigated. A dry-stone-walled souterrain was located 3m north of the middle pile of stones
in the late-nineteenth century. A vertical stone-lined ‘well’ feature- 1m in diameter- was
uncovered at the mouth of its entrance and contained a number of ash/charcoal deposits
within its fill. The souterrain consisted of a passage and circular chamber- 3.65m diameterwith
a small recess to its west. A deposit of charcoal and ash was recovered on the floor of
the recess. No artefacts were found.
Fig. 281: Plan of Ballykilmurry, Co. Waterford (after Mongey 1933).
References:
Mongey, L. 1933. Ring-fort and souterrain at Ballykilmurry, Parish of Kilrossanty, Co.
Waterford (note). Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 63, 248–50.
Mongey, L. 1934. Ballykilmurry ring-fort, Co. Waterford, (acknowledgment). Journal of the
Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 64, 150.
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