Busherstown

72 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Busherstown, from 64 m² to 587,128 m² (58.71 ha, 145.08 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 35 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

No zone of a development plan covers Busherstown in the national zoning. Outside zoned towns and villages, the county development plan's rural policies apply to each application.

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Busherstown in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Busherstown.

Recorded monuments

• OF047-001 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Depicted as a tree-ring on all editions of the OS 6-inch map. Well preserved circular area (diam. 28.4m) enclosed by an earth and stone bank (Wth 4.4m; ext. H 0.6m) and fosse (Wth 2.8m; ext. D 0.3 - 0.6m) with sharp profile which suggests that this is not the site of a ringfort but part of the landscaping undertaken by the occupants of Busherstown House. Located on the demesne of Busherstown House. Referred to as an 'Ancient Fort' in the OS Field Name Books 1838-40 which may suggest that this was a ringfort that was converted into a tree-ring in the 18th century. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-003 Enclosure
  Description

  Natural glacial hillock the base of which has been scarped survives, potential enclosure possible identified from aerial photographs taken in 1973 (GSI S 86/5). Potential enclosure that has been levelled leaving behind a scarped hillock that is cut by the modern Dublin-Limerick road. May have been an antiquity that was landscaped as a tree-ring in the 19th century due to its close proximity to Busherstown House, or may be a landscape feature of 19th century date. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-004 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on N facing slope of rising ground in undulating countryside. Present remains consist of a circular area (diam. 29m) the interior of which has been raised at NW to create a level interior, enclosed by poorly preserved earth and stone bank and outer fosse. No evidence of an entrance feature. Referred to as an 'Ancient Fort' in the OS Field Name Books 1838-40. Situated on demesne land and may have been reused as a tree-ring, has all the appearances of a landscape feature rather than a ringfort. Depicted on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map as a tree-ring rather than an antiquity. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-005 Ringfort - unclassified
  Description

  Situated on top of Busherstown Hill with good views in all directions. Not visible at ground level. Referred to as an 'Ancient Fort' in the OS Field Name Books 1838-40. This monument is not indicated on first two editions of the Ordance Survey 6-inch maps. Described in 1984-85 as an oval slightly hollow area (diam. 32m) enclosed by a small bank (H 0.7m) with possible entrance gap (Wth 1.8m) at SE (Stout 1984-5). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-006 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated on top of high ground in upland area. Oval shaped area (diam 32.5m N-S; 28.6m E-W) enclosed by a low bank of earth and stone material (Wth 3.5m; int. H 0.5m max.) with entrance gap (Wth 3.5m) to SE. No external fosse visible. Surface of interior is very uneven due to rock outcrop. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-007 Enclosure
  Description

  Not visible at ground level. Quarry located where site was located which has destroyed any archaeological features which may have existed. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-008 Earthwork
  Description

  Located on a low ridge running N-S at the base of a hill overlooking a tributary of the Brosna river. Moatquarter motte (TN016-003----) in Co. Tipperary 185m to NE with medieval church ruins (OF047-009----) 140m to SE. Hachured as a rectangular platform on all editions of the OS 6-inch maps. A rectangular platform (dims. 60m x 35m; max. H 2.2m) defined by a scarp with no evidence of an external fosse or entrance feature. Its close proximity to medieval church (OF047-009----) and motte may indicate possible medieval date for this site. Testing of this site by Brian Hodkinson in 1999 had revealed a series of undated, apparently parallel features of uncertain function (Excavations 1999, 255). Further work was carried out in the area of the proposed house to try to find the function and date of four of these. One of the features was ephemeral; two were parallel ditches; and the third curved across the top of one of the straight ones. None of the features was dated, and their function remains unclear. Two ditch-like features had previously been identified on this site (Excavations 1999, No. 732, and 2000, No. 807). Testing suggested that one might be a former watercourse, while the other was of indeterminate function. Monitoring of the stripping of the site in 2004 offered another chance to try and determine the date and function of the features; however, no further evidence was forthcoming. Brian Hodkinson, Annaholty, Birdhill, Co. Tipperary. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 04 January 2012

• OF047-013 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  No surface trace visible according to local information site was bulldozed in the early 1980's. Depicted as an irregular shaped enclosure on 1911 edition of the OS 6-inch map. Monument placed on the Register of Historic Monuments on the 22 December 1982. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

• OF047-017001 Moated site
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site. The majority of the moated site lies outside the area of the road. The entire outline can clearly be seen in aerial photographs of the adjoining fields. A dense concentration of archaeological features was discovered within the area enclosed by this ditch. Many of these had a clear stratigraphic sequence. Others were associated by their physical closeness. At present it is not clear which of these features, if any, relate to the construction or occupation phase of this enclosure. The enclosure ditch was the largest ditch on site. The excavated portion ran southwards for c. 19m, from under the northern limit of excavation, until it turned sharply towards the north-west for 12.5m and disappeared again under the northern limit of excavation. The moated site ditch was 4.8–5.56m wide with steeply sloped sides and a wide flat base. It was 1.5–1.7m in depth and contained a total of 48 fills along its visible length. To the north-east it appeared that the ditch may have been revetted by large boulders which have now collapsed into the base of the ditch. There was no apparent silting or fill below these boulders but the ditch did appear to have remained open for some time after the revetment collapsed. Some silting up has occurred around and over the upper layer of boulders. Above this it appears that the ditch was used for dumping before a final backfill event. This ditch encloses a large number of archaeological features and a number of stratigraphic layers. The foundation trenches and post-holes of a small structure and two corn-drying kilns (OF047-017002-/003-) were identified. Finds, primarily from the upper fills of the moated site ditch, included a roof-slate fragment, an iron nail, fragments of iron, a post-medieval knife fragment, a possible medieval spearhead or iron plough shoe, a ceramic sherd and a small roughly shaped arrowhead or tool made from bone. A possible linear smithing hearth (OF047-017004-) and associated well or water storage pit probably post-date the construction of the moated site. As only a small quantity of slag was recovered from the site, it is possible that this hearth was used primarily for secondary smithing. Post-medieval features include a large number of related furrows spread across the site and truncating many of the features investigated. Burials (OF047-017005-) Two burials were recovered on site, one infant burial and one juvenile or young adult. The infant was aligned east–west, with the head placed to the west, the arms folded across the supine upper body and the legs bent at the knees towards the south. The burial was found within the fill of one of the ditches and no grave-cut could be defined. It therefore appeared that the infant was carefully placed during the deposition/backfilling of this end of the ditch. The juvenile or young adult burial was placed within another ditch. The remains appeared to have been rolled into the ditch with the upper ditch fill. These deposits also contained a fragment of possible post-medieval pottery, and an Edward I long cross penny was recovered from an adjacent upper fill. The body was placed face down with the head to the north. The position of the head in relation to the feet suggested the body was placed in the ditch intact, although excavation revealed that a large number of bones were missing and that a lot of disturbance had taken place, especially around the centre of the body. Material evidence A coin was discovered in the upper fill of a ditch. Based on the size and visible markings this appears to be an Edward I or II long cross penny of silver dating to the period 1279 or 1327. Other metal finds included a small hammered strip of bronze or copper alloy recovered from the fill of a kiln. One side of this strip was unevenly covered with incised geometrical (lozenge-shape infilled with criss-cross) design and may be a medieval tweezers fragment. A long bone pin was recovered from the fill of a kiln, found within the interior of the moated site. This plain pin is of possible medieval type with a perforation in its triangular-shaped head. Six quernstone fragments were recovered from various contexts across the site. As the fragments discovered from the features were generally found at a considerable depth, they are unlikely to have been a result of plough disturbance (Bennett 2010, 396-7). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011

• OF047-017002 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-). The majority of the moated site lies outside the area of the road. The moated site ditch was 4.8–5.56m wide with steeply sloped sides and a wide flat base. It was 1.5–1.7m in depth and contained a total of 48 fills along its visible length. To the north-east it appeared that the ditch may have been revetted by large boulders which have now collapsed into the base of the ditch. There was no apparent silting or fill below these boulders but the ditch did appear to have remained open for some time after the revetment collapsed. Some silting up has occurred around and over the upper layer of boulders. Above this it appears that the ditch was used for dumping before a final backfill event. This ditch encloses a large number of archaeological features and a number of stratigraphic layers. The foundation trenches and post-holes of a small structure and two corn-drying kilns (OF047-017002-/003-) were identified. Finds, primarily from the upper fills of the moated site ditch, included a roof-slate fragment, an iron nail, fragments of iron, a post-medieval knife fragment, a possible medieval spearhead or iron plough shoe, a ceramic sherd and a small roughly shaped arrowhead or tool made from bone. A possible linear smithing hearth (OF047-017004-) and associated well or water storage pit probably post-date the construction of the moated site. As only a small quantity of slag was recovered from the site, it is possible that this hearth was used primarily for secondary smithing. Post-medieval features include a large number of related furrows spread across the site and truncating many of the features investigated. Material evidence A coin was discovered in the upper fill of a ditch. Based on the size and visible markings this appears to be an Edward I or II long cross penny of silver dating to the period 1279 or 1327. Other metal finds included a small hammered strip of bronze or copper alloy recovered from the fill of a kiln. One side of this strip was unevenly covered with incised geometrical (lozenge-shape infilled with criss-cross) design and may be a medieval tweezers fragment. A long bone pin was recovered from the fill of a kiln, found within the interior of the moated site. This plain pin is of possible medieval type with a perforation in its triangular-shaped head. Six quernstone fragments were recovered from various contexts across the site. As the fragments discovered from the features were generally found at a considerable depth, they are unlikely to have been a result of plough disturbance (Bennett 2010, 396-7). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011

• OF047-017003 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-). The majority of the moated site lies outside the area of the road. The entire outline can clearly be seen in aerial photographs of the adjoining fields. A dense concentration of archaeological features was discovered within the area enclosed by this ditch. Many of these had a clear stratigraphic sequence. Others were associated by their physical closeness. At present it is not clear which of these features, if any, relate to the construction or occupation phase of this enclosure. The enclosure ditch was the largest ditch on site. The excavated portion ran southwards for c. 19m, from under the northern limit of excavation, until it turned sharply towards the north-west for 12.5m and disappeared again under the northern limit of excavation. The moated site ditch was 4.8–5.56m wide with steeply sloped sides and a wide flat base. It was 1.5–1.7m in depth and contained a total of 48 fills along its visible length. To the north-east it appeared that the ditch may have been revetted by large boulders which have now collapsed into the base of the ditch. There was no apparent silting or fill below these boulders but the ditch did appear to have remained open for some time after the revetment collapsed. Some silting up has occurred around and over the upper layer of boulders. Above this it appears that the ditch was used for dumping before a final backfill event. This ditch encloses a large number of archaeological features and a number of stratigraphic layers. The foundation trenches and post-holes of a small structure and two corn-drying kilns (OF047-017002-/003-) were identified. Finds, primarily from the upper fills of the moated site ditch, included a roof-slate fragment, an iron nail, fragments of iron, a post-medieval knife fragment, a possible medieval spearhead or iron plough shoe, a ceramic sherd and a small roughly shaped arrowhead or tool made from bone. A possible linear smithing hearth (OF047-017004-) and associated well or water storage pit probably post-date the construction of the moated site. As only a small quantity of slag was recovered from the site, it is possible that this hearth was used primarily for secondary smithing. Post-medieval features include a large number of related furrows spread across the site and truncating many of the features investigated. Burials (OF047-017005-) Two burials were recovered on site, one infant burial and one juvenile or young adult. The infant was aligned east–west, with the head placed to the west, the arms folded across the supine upper body and the legs bent at the knees towards the south. The burial was found within the fill of one of the ditches and no grave-cut could be defined. It therefore appeared that the infant was carefully placed during the deposition/backfilling of this end of the ditch. The juvenile or young adult burial was placed within another ditch. The remains appeared to have been rolled into the ditch with the upper ditch fill. These deposits also contained a fragment of possible post-medieval pottery, and an Edward I long cross penny was recovered from an adjacent upper fill. The body was placed face down with the head to the north. The position of the head in relation to the feet suggested the body was placed in the ditch intact, although excavation revealed that a large number of bones were missing and that a lot of disturbance had taken place, especially around the centre of the body. Material evidence A coin was discovered in the upper fill of a ditch. Based on the size and visible markings this appears to be an Edward I or II long cross penny of silver dating to the period 1279 or 1327. Other metal finds included a small hammered strip of bronze or copper alloy recovered from the fill of a kiln. One side of this strip was unevenly covered with incised geometrical (lozenge-shape infilled with criss-cross) design and may be a medieval tweezers fragment. A long bone pin was recovered from the fill of a kiln, found within the interior of the moated site. This plain pin is of possible medieval type with a perforation in its triangular-shaped head. Six quernstone fragments were recovered from various contexts across the site. As the fragments discovered from the features were generally found at a considerable depth, they are unlikely to have been a result of plough disturbance (Bennett 2010, 396-7). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011

• OF047-017004 Metalworking site
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-). The majority of the moated site lies outside the area of the road. The entire outline can clearly be seen in aerial photographs of the adjoining fields. A dense concentration of archaeological features was discovered within the area enclosed by this ditch. Many of these had a clear stratigraphic sequence. Others were associated by their physical closeness. At present it is not clear which of these features, if any, relate to the construction or occupation phase of this enclosure. The enclosure ditch was the largest ditch on site. The excavated portion ran southwards for c. 19m, from under the northern limit of excavation, until it turned sharply towards the north-west for 12.5m and disappeared again under the northern limit of excavation. The moated site ditch was 4.8–5.56m wide with steeply sloped sides and a wide flat base. It was 1.5–1.7m in depth and contained a total of 48 fills along its visible length. To the north-east it appeared that the ditch may have been revetted by large boulders which have now collapsed into the base of the ditch. There was no apparent silting or fill below these boulders but the ditch did appear to have remained open for some time after the revetment collapsed. Some silting up has occurred around and over the upper layer of boulders. Above this it appears that the ditch was used for dumping before a final backfill event. This ditch encloses a large number of archaeological features and a number of stratigraphic layers. The foundation trenches and post-holes of a small structure and two corn-drying kilns (OF047-017002-/003-) were identified. Finds, primarily from the upper fills of the moated site ditch, included a roof-slate fragment, an iron nail, fragments of iron, a post-medieval knife fragment, a possible medieval spearhead or iron plough shoe, a ceramic sherd and a small roughly shaped arrowhead or tool made from bone. A possible linear smithing hearth (OF047-017004-) and associated well or water storage pit probably post-date the construction of the moated site. As only a small quantity of slag was recovered from the site, it is possible that this hearth was used primarily for secondary smithing. Post-medieval features include a large number of related furrows spread across the site and truncating many of the features investigated. Burials (OF047-017005-) Two burials were recovered on site, one infant burial and one juvenile or young adult. The infant was aligned east–west, with the head placed to the west, the arms folded across the supine upper body and the legs bent at the knees towards the south. The burial was found within the fill of one of the ditches and no grave-cut could be defined. It therefore appeared that the infant was carefully placed during the deposition/backfilling of this end of the ditch. The juvenile or young adult burial was placed within another ditch. The remains appeared to have been rolled into the ditch with the upper ditch fill. These deposits also contained a fragment of possible post-medieval pottery, and an Edward I long cross penny was recovered from an adjacent upper fill. The body was placed face down with the head to the north. The position of the head in relation to the feet suggested the body was placed in the ditch intact, although excavation revealed that a large number of bones were missing and that a lot of disturbance had taken place, especially around the centre of the body. Material evidence A coin was discovered in the upper fill of a ditch. Based on the size and visible markings this appears to be an Edward I or II long cross penny of silver dating to the period 1279 or 1327. Other metal finds included a small hammered strip of bronze or copper alloy recovered from the fill of a kiln. One side of this strip was unevenly covered with incised geometrical (lozenge-shape infilled with criss-cross) design and may be a medieval tweezers fragment. A long bone pin was recovered from the fill of a kiln, found within the interior of the moated site. This plain pin is of possible medieval type with a perforation in its triangular-shaped head. Six quernstone fragments were recovered from various contexts across the site. As the fragments discovered from the features were generally found at a considerable depth, they are unlikely to have been a result of plough disturbance (Bennett 2010, 396-7). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011

• OF047-017005 Burial
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-). The majority of the moated site lies outside the area of the road. The entire outline can clearly be seen in aerial photographs of the adjoining fields. A dense concentration of archaeological features was discovered within the area enclosed by this ditch. Many of these had a clear stratigraphic sequence. Others were associated by their physical closeness. At present it is not clear which of these features, if any, relate to the construction or occupation phase of this enclosure. Burials (OF047-017005-) Two burials were recovered on site, one infant burial and one juvenile or young adult. The infant was aligned east–west, with the head placed to the west, the arms folded across the supine upper body and the legs bent at the knees towards the south. The burial was found within the fill of one of the ditches and no grave-cut could be defined. It therefore appeared that the infant was carefully placed during the deposition/backfilling of this end of the ditch. The juvenile or young adult burial was placed within another ditch. The remains appeared to have been rolled into the ditch with the upper ditch fill. These deposits also contained a fragment of possible post-medieval pottery, and an Edward I long cross penny was recovered from an adjacent upper fill. The body was placed face down with the head to the north. The position of the head in relation to the feet suggested the body was placed in the ditch intact, although excavation revealed that a large number of bones were missing and that a lot of disturbance had taken place, especially around the centre of the body. Material evidence A coin was discovered in the upper fill of a ditch. Based on the size and visible markings this appears to be an Edward I or II long cross penny of silver dating to the period 1279 or 1327. Other metal finds included a small hammered strip of bronze or copper alloy recovered from the fill of a kiln. One side of this strip was unevenly covered with incised geometrical (lozenge-shape infilled with criss-cross) design and may be a medieval tweezers fragment. A long bone pin was recovered from the fill of a kiln, found within the interior of the moated site. This plain pin is of possible medieval type with a perforation in its triangular-shaped head. Six quernstone fragments were recovered from various contexts across the site. As the fragments discovered from the features were generally found at a considerable depth, they are unlikely to have been a result of plough disturbance (Bennett 2010, 396-7). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien. Date of upload/revision: 08 November 2011

• OF047-017006 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017007 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017008 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017009 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017010 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017011 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017012 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017013 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017014 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017015 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017016 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017017 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017018 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017019 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

• OF047-017020 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Phase 2 excavation carried out by Tori McMorran for Eachtra Archaeological Projects in 2007 under licence No. E3661 along 17.1km (Contract 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme were commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. The excavation revealed a complex multi-period site. The site is located at around 140m OD overlooking a wide area of marshy ground to the north-east and east. Ground level drops sharply to the north to a small but fast-flowing stream. One of the earliest uses of this site was as a centre of cereal processing, including cereal drying and storage. A total of fifteen earth-cut, unlined possible figure-of-eight- or dumbbell-shaped kilns (OF047-017006-/020-) were discovered. These kilns all contain evidence for a deeper firing chamber and a drying chamber. Some kilns appeared to have been enclosed or partly enclosed by or associated with structural remains. The large ‘blank’ areas on site may represent spaces set aside for other activities associated with cereal processing. The second phase of activity was the enclosing of certain areas of the site through the construction of deep, wide ditches. It is unclear at this point whether this was to enclose the cereal-processing centre or whether this activity had already ended. It is clear that the construction of the ditches did not always respect the location of the kilns, with many of these being truncated at this time. Several structures which are present within the interior of this enclosed area may relate to this time. At least one of these truncates a kiln. No kiln was discovered within the central area of the enclosure or outside the enclosed area, although a small number of those truncated by the enclosing ditches were on the external edge of the truncating ditch. In this regard there does appear to be some form of relationship between the enclosing of the area and the locations of the kilns. A late phase of activity on site includes the construction of a massive ditch enclosing a subrectangular area, a moated site (OF047-017001-) (Bennett 2010, 396). Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision : 08 November 2011

Architectural heritage

• Busherstown House, country house, 1810–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey castellated country house, rebuilt c.1815, following fire in 1812. Built on site of an O’Carroll castle. Round-profile tower to north end of facade, projecting square-profile bays with full-height bow to south end of facade. Pitched and hipped slate roofs, hidden to front by castellated parapet. Cast-iron rainwater goods. Rear porch with hipped slate roof. Ruled-and-lined rendered walls to façade and south wing. Random coursed stone and roughcast render to rear elevations. Timber sash window with tooled stone sills. Four-centre arched door opening to front with timber panelled door and Gothic style fanlight having intersecting glazing bars, accessed by tooled stone steps. Stone outbuildings to north and east enclosing central yard. Outbuilding to north with cut stone bellcote. Integral carriage arch opening to north-west outbuilding with wrought-iron gate, accessing central yard. Outbuildings to north of yard and to west of walled garden have been renovated and currently used as apartment and art studio, respectively. Wrought-iron gate to north of facade. Walled garden to east with random coursed stone walls. Square-profile ashlar limestone gate piers to road with cast-iron gates and railings, and rendered sweeping walls. Spearhead finials to gates and railings.

• Busherstown House, gate lodge, 1830–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey gate lodge, built c.1850, with central breakfront having parapet. Set back from the road. Hipped slate roof with oversailing eaves, half hexagonal-shaped slates, lead flashing to ridges, rendered chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Hipped tiled and lean-to felt roofs to rear extensions. Ruled-and-lined render to façade. Pebbledash to side and rear elevations and extensions with smooth rendered plinth. Timber sash window to façade with tolled stone sills and label mouldings. Timber casement window to sides and rear with concrete sills. Round-headed door opening to façade with petal fanlight, timber battened door and limestone threshold. Square-headed door opening to rear with timber battened door. Cast-iron railings to north-east and south-west with gate accessing rear garden and rendered plinth wall. Spearhead finials to railings. Outbuilding to rear garden. Front site is enclosed behind modern wall with railings and steps.

• Busherstown Tower, folly, 1810–1820 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding two-stage castellated folly tower, built c.1810. Erected on crest of hill to east of Busherstown House. Random coursed stone walls with corbels supporting castellated parapet. Pointed-arched openings with tooled stone surrounds.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).

Radon

About 1 in 10 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility moderately high, moderately low, low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Busherstown.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

No address of the register names Busherstown with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Offaly.

Name

Busherstown · Baile an Bhúiséaraigh

Area

2,890,920 m² (289.09 ha, 714.36 acres)

Civil parish

Castletownely, and its townlands

Barony

Clonlisk

Electoral division

Dunkerrin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Dunkerrin electoral division: 385 people in 131 households; 86% of households own their home; 21% of homes were built since 2001; 11% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 1% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballynakill, Drumbaun (Co. Tipperary), Drumroe, Greenhills (Co. Tipperary), Loughan, Moatquarter (Co. Tipperary)

Placenames

Busherstown on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.