2023:485 - Park South, Midleton, Cork

Fifty-one trenches were excavated across the proposed development site following geophysical survey and in advance of the proposed construction of a new distillery. Two areas of archaeological interest were identified in the trenches.

Ten sub-circular possible post-holes or pits were identified on a low gravelly hillock at the northern end of the proposed development site. The features formed a roughly circular plan (c. 8m in diameter). They ranged in size from 0.5m to 0.8m and were ephemeral in nature. Several were truncated by a number of furrows which extended across the trench. They cut the gravelly subsoil and when investigated were very prone to collapse. No finds were identified. Their character suggests they may be broadly of prehistoric date.

A second area of archaeological interest was identified towards the center of the proposed development site in a generally flat area. Thirteen small sub-circular features were identified ranging in diameter from 0.2m to 0.7m. No finds were identified but their character suggested they may be broadly of prehistoric date. Two small sub-circular features up to 0.6m diameter and 10m apart were identified in a nearby trench. The deposits in both were slightly rooty but may be of archaeological potential.

Evidence of disturbance adjacent to the banks of the Dungourney River suggested the river channel had been recut from a meandering channel to the existing straight-sided one of today and ground levels may have been raised possibly when the nearby mill race was constructed in the late 18th century.

Further archaeological work will be carried out.