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AR01055_EMAP_Gazetteer_of_Sites_4-2_10.pdf - The Heritage ...

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Donegal<br />

Dooey, Co. Donegal<br />

Early Medieval Settlement Enclosure.<br />

Grid Ref: B76000170 (176001/401707)<br />

SMR No: DG065-003003<br />

Excavation Licence: N/A<br />

Excavation Duration/Year: May – September 1959.<br />

Site Director: A.B. Ó Ríordáin & E. Rynne (University College, Galway).<br />

<strong>The</strong> site is located on a plain <strong>of</strong> sandhills that juts out into Trawenagh Bay/Gweebarra Bay.<br />

Stone tools, pottery, metal-working and human remains had been found in the area from the<br />

late nineteenth century. Larger scale investigation was undertaken in the late-1930s/early-<br />

1940s, and this revealed ‘dozens’ <strong>of</strong> bronze pins, as well as an iron penannular brooch, iron<br />

slag, a ‘few’ decorated beads, and a ‘number’ <strong>of</strong> sherds <strong>of</strong> decorated pottery. Human skeletal<br />

remains were discovered eroding out <strong>of</strong> a sandhill during this period, and a larger scale<br />

excavation was eventually undertaken in 1959 as part <strong>of</strong> the Special Employment Scheme.<br />

This excavation revealed four phases <strong>of</strong> occupation.<br />

<strong>The</strong> earliest phase is represented by an unenclosed area (56m x 64m), which contained a<br />

number <strong>of</strong> shallow fire pits. <strong>The</strong> central part <strong>of</strong> this earlier occupation area (38m x 40m) was<br />

later enclosed by a ditch, which filled in relatively quickly with sand. Habitation appears to<br />

have continued on site as refuse is found both inside the area defined by the in-filled ditch<br />

and outside it. A number <strong>of</strong> postholes and a possible stone-built structure constitute the<br />

structural remains from this phase <strong>of</strong> occupation. <strong>The</strong> site was later used as a Christian<br />

cemetery (almost 70 skeletons were excavated in 1959), effectively destroying any structural<br />

remains belonging to the main occupation phases.<br />

About 2,000 finds were recovered from the 1959 excavation, but most were not closely<br />

stratified. <strong>The</strong> site appears to have had a predominantly industrial function. Large quantities<br />

<strong>of</strong> Nucella (Purpura) lapillus shells (dog-whelk) were found, which have been interpreted as<br />

indicating that purple dye may have been extracted on site. Over 120 iron knives – most with<br />

bone or antler handles attached – were also recovered; as well as a number <strong>of</strong> industrial iron<br />

tools. Fifty complete, or near complete bronze pins were recorded, as well as several bronze<br />

belt buckles and ring-brooches, and fragments <strong>of</strong> crucibles which showed evidence for<br />

bronze-working. Some <strong>of</strong> these bronze objects were also found to have had amber, enamel,<br />

or millefiori settings. A number <strong>of</strong> glass beads were found, but, unlike the bronzes, there was<br />

no evidence for glass-making on site.<br />

[No plan exists for this site].<br />

References:<br />

McGill, P. J. 1947. Notes on Shore Dwellers and Sandhill Settlements (Dooey,<br />

Lettermacaward, Co. Donegal). Journal <strong>of</strong> the County Donegal Historical Society, VI, 27–31.<br />

Ó Floinn, R. 1995. Sandhills, Silver and Shrines – Fine Metalwork <strong>of</strong> the Medieval Period from<br />

Donegal, in W. Nolan, L. Nonayne & H. Dunlevy (eds.) Donegal: History and Society. Dublin,<br />

Geography Publications, 85–148.<br />

Ó Ríordáin, A. B., & Rynne, E. 1961. A settlement in the sandhills at Dooey, Co. Donegal.<br />

Journal <strong>of</strong> the Royal Society <strong>of</strong> Antiquarians <strong>of</strong> Ireland , 91, 58–64.<br />

181

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