2025:197 - Ballinrea 5, Cork

Excavation at Ballinrea 5, as part of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Project, Co.
Cork, revealed prehistoric, early medieval and post-medieval to early modern activity. The site was made up of eleven areas (A–I, including associated sub-areas). Prehistoric activity was evidenced by a scattering of pits, including a cremation in Areas A(i), B, C(ii) and I and a gully in Area A(ii), while a multi-phased (‘plectrum-shaped’) early medieval enclosure, and the remnants of a keyhole-shaped kiln
were noted in Areas A(ii) and F, respectively. Notably, six souterrains were constructed along the inner perimeter of the plectrum-shaped enclosure, each consisting of two earth-cut chambers with evidence of internal timber structures, connected through creepways or channels. Post-medieval to early modern
activity was evidenced in the presence of field boundary ditches, pits and cultivation furrows in Areas A(i), A(ii), D(ii), G and I, while an early modern pit was also recorded in Area A(i). Several unphased pits and post-holes were also recorded.
A total of 70 artefacts including prehistoric pottery, post-medieval pottery, clay tobacco pipe fragments, glass, corroded metal objects and stone objects including whetstones and a possible fragment of quernstone were recovered during the excavation. Archaeological materials in the form of charred plant remains (cereal grain, nutshell and charcoal) and a small assemblage (c. 150 g) of animal bone was also recovered.

Area A(i)- 572041, 565736; Area A(ii)- 572080, 565718; Area B- 571989, 565801; Area
C(i)- 571935, 565903; Area C(ii)- 571947, 565887; Area D(i)- 571811, 566072; Area D(ii)- 571835, 566087; Area E- 571715, 566136; Area F- 572189, 565628; Area G- 571143, 565624; Area H- 571993, 565776; Area I- 572023, 565771