Their equipment uncovered a slab-lined cist, an ancient stone burial chamber complete with its original capstone still in place. These prehistoric burial structures, typically dating from the Bronze Age, were constructed by carefully lining a rectangular pit with stone slabs to create a box-like chamber for interring the dead.

Inside the cist, archaeologists found a food vessel; a distinctive type of pottery that gives us valuable insights into burial practices from roughly 4,000 years ago. These vessels, often decorated with intricate patterns, were typically placed alongside the deceased and may have contained offerings of food or drink for the journey to the afterlife. The Labbadish food vessel was deemed significant enough to be preserved in the National Museum of Ireland, where it joins the national collection of prehistoric artefacts.

The discovery forms part of County Donegal's rich archaeological landscape, which spans from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century. The find was documented in the Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland in 1967 and later included in the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. Such chance discoveries during construction work have contributed enormously to our understanding of prehistoric Ireland, revealing how our ancestors lived, died, and honoured their dead thousands of years before written records began.