The site, recorded as 04E0015 (Part 2), sits in a natural depression protected by rocky outcrops to the north and west, with views across a turlough; a seasonal lake typical of Ireland's limestone landscapes; to the south. This strategic location would have offered both shelter from the elements and access to the wetland's seasonal resources.

The star find was a solitary Iron Age hearth, measuring roughly 0.8 metres across and 0.18 metres deep. Its three distinct layers contained charcoal flecks and fragments of burnt clay, telling a story of repeated use some 2,000 years ago. Analysis of the charcoal revealed it came from hazel wood, a common fuel source in ancient Ireland that burns hot and steady. Radiocarbon dating placed the hearth's use between 180 BC and AD 70, right in the heart of the Irish Iron Age when communities were transitioning from bronze to iron tools and developing the distinctive art styles we associate with Celtic culture.

While this isolated hearth might seem modest compared to grand hillforts or elaborate burials, it represents something equally valuable: a glimpse into everyday life during the Iron Age. Perhaps it marked a temporary camp for hunters tracking game around the turlough, or a stopping point for travellers moving through the landscape. The careful selection of hazel wood and the hearth's protected location suggest this wasn't just a random fire but a deliberately chosen spot that served a specific purpose in the rhythms of Iron Age life.