2023:568 - Coolduff, Kilmurry, Cork

Test excavation was carried out as part of an impact assessment for the redevelopment of a building known as Joe Regan’s Bar in the village of Kilmurry. This building is listed on the NIAH (Reg:20908311) and the façade will be preserved. The works will also include construction of a new entrance, car park and percolation area as well as the necessary rebuilding. Immediately to the south of the building is the location of a souterrain (CO083-055-004) which has been recorded by hearsay and its exact location is uncertain. It is part of a cluster of monuments associated with Kilmuury old church, including a second souterrain.

Six test trenches were excavated in total including two which crossed the site of the souterrain (T1 & T4). The stratigraphy recorded in all the trenches consisted of hard, grey gravels and bedrock in places, overlain by between 0.15m and 0.4m of a dark brown loamy topsoil. In all trenches the machine further excavated into the natural gravels to find evidence for the souterrain, but it was not located.

A new entrance is also required which would enter from the western side of the building. This entrance will be shared with a proposed small housing development and test excavation for this has been carried out previously under licence 21E0236. No archaeology was found along the route of the new entrance but the second souterrain – CO083-055001 – was located c.20m to the west.