Linear Earthworks and Roadways / Créthógálacha Líneacha agus Bealaí

Corlea, Co. Longford

At Corlea, Co. Longford, a roadway formed of massive oak beams was found during peat harvesting. It was subsequently excavated and dated by dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) to 148 BC. A section of the road is now preserved in a visitor centre on the site

Photo by B. Raftery. Courtesy of Con Brogan

Corlea, Co. Longford
Photo by B. Raftery. Courtesy of Con Brogan

Corlea, Co. Longford

At Corlea, Co. Longford, a roadway formed of massive oak beams was found during peat harvesting. It was subsequently excavated and dated by dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) to 148 BC. A section of the road is now preserved in a visitor centre on the site

Photo by B. Raftery. Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

Linear earthworks are ancient earthen banks that can be traced sometimes for miles across the countryside and have names, reminiscent of legends, such as the Black Pig's Race or the Claidhe Dubh. They appear to have formed territorial boundaries and/or impediments to cattle raiding. Some date from the Iron Age.
Ancient roadways or trackways are most often found where they crossed bogs and consisted of timbers or branches laid down to give a firm footing. The bog in time enveloped and preserved the timber and the preserved remains of these bog roads or toghers, dating from the Stone Age up to the seventeenth century, are frequently found during turf cutting.

Black Pig's Race, Aghnagarron, Co. Longford

A section of the linear earthwork called the Black Pig's Race around the townland of Aghnagarron, Co. Longford

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Black Pig's Race, Aghnagarron, Co. Longford
Courtesy of Con Brogan

Black Pig's Race, Aghnagarron, Co. Longford

A section of the linear earthwork called the Black Pig's Race around the townland of Aghnagarron, Co. Longford

Courtesy of Con Brogan

Enlarge image

Ás Gaeilge:

Is bainc chré ársa iad créthógálacha líneacha. Amanta bíonn a rian le feiceáil ag síneadh na mílte trasna na tuaithe. Bíonn siad ainmnithe as finscéalta cosúil le Rás na Muice Duibhe nó Claidhe Dubh. Is cosúil gur léirigh siad teorainneacha dúichí agus/nó go raibh siad mar chosc ar chreachadóireacht bheithíoch. Baineann cuid acu leis an Aois Iarainn.
Is minice a bhíonn bóthair nó cosáin ársa le fáil mar ar thrasnaigh siad portaigh. Bhí siad comhdhéanta d’adhmad nó craobhacha a chuirtí síos chun an talamh faoi chois a dhéanamh níos daingne. Le himeacht aimsire, chlúdaigh an portach an t-adhmad agus chaomhnaigh sé é agus go minic nuair a bhítear ag baint móna, tagtar ar iarsmaí caomhnaithe na mbóthar portaigh nó na dtóchar, a bhaineann leis an gClochaois suas go dtí an seachtú haois déag.