2024:261 - Shannonpark & Carrigaline Middle, Cork

A programme of archaeological monitoring was carried out within the development site. Several discrete archaeological features were noted during monitoring.

The site of a recorded fulacht fiadh (C0087-115—-) was located during works. The features identified consisted of a series of pits, post-holes, stake-holes, a possible kiln and spreads of burnt material. This area was manually cleaned, surveyed, photographed and covered. A buffer zone extending 20m from the outer edge of the archaeological deposits was erected. The features noted at this location will be preserved in situ within a green area within the site, in line with the grant of planning.

Features were also noted within two discrete areas at the centre of the development site. On foot of a revised method statement these features were excavated under license 24E0393 EXT. The identified features appeared to be primarily prehistoric in date.

The central portion of the excavation area contained a discrete archaeological spread. This spread overlay several pits which contained a burnt stone fill. Three of the five pits noted within this area were cut into an apparent occupation layer. A series of modern stone-filled drainage features orientated on a northwest to southeast axis and west-southwest to east-northeast axis were also noted.

An isolated pit with a similar burnt stone fill was identified to the east of the main area of activity at the centre of the site.