2026:074 - M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Project Stage (i) Additional Test Excavation, Cork

A total of 5405.91 linear meters of test trenching was completed during the work associated with registration number E5560. This represents 13.06% of the trenchable area. This resulted in the identification of 10 areas of archaeological potential that will merit protection from construction-related activity.

Shanbally Compound (ITM ref: 570904, 567474)

A total of 21 of the 23 planned test-trenches were excavated under archaeological supervision. Two trenches were modified due to access for the plant and a quarry site being discovered, and additional trenches were incorporated to find the extent of a curvilinear ditch feature (C010 in Trenches 20). In total 955.11m of trenching were excavated with a 2m wide bucket, resulting in 12.8% of the area being covered.

The topsoil was brown silty clay and was 0.15-0.3m in depth, while the subsoil was a mid-orangey brown silty clay and was 0.05-0.3m in depth. The natural was a light orangey-brown sandy silt with abundant small to medium angular stones.

Two features were found in the northern series of trenches (C004 and C006). C004 was in Trench 1, was orientated north-west/south-east and measured 0.8m wide and 0.44m deep. It continued into Trench 6 but wasn’t revealed in any of the other surrounding trenches, therefore its true length hasn’t been noted at this time. C006 was orientated north-north-east/south-south-west and was only exposed in Trench 1, it measured 3.8m wide and 1.5m deep; this feature could possibly be a sink-hole, since the edges were not clearly defined and shattered rock was present along the edges.

No archaeological features had been discovered in Trenches 10-19, but a small abandoned quarry site was uncovered in the centre of this area. This quarry was cut into an outcrop of rock within the field. It was infilled with modern debris such as refuse and engine parts (C008 and C009). It measured 15m east-west by 11.26m and 1.9m deep. A sondage into the feature exposed a quarried face. This quarry is thought to date to the latter half of the 19th century because the 1st Edition Ordnance Survey map depicts a rock outcrop while the 2nd Edition seems to depict a ‘hole’ or quarry, though the feature is not labelled on the map.

Trench 20 comprised one long trench that was placed in a proposed access road between the compound and the route of the M28.

Shanbally Compound AP1

A curvilinear feature (C010) was identified towards the northern side of the trench. Two additional trenches (TR21 and 24) were added to the west to establish the extent of this feature. C010 was also identified in Trench 21. Overall, this feature was curvilinear and measured 13.3m in length by 1.15m in width, it had a sharp break of slope on the top, steep sides, a sharp break of slope at the base and a V-shaped base. The main fill (C011) consisted of a soft greyish-brown silty clay with rare pebble inclusions. The size and character of the feature would suggest it was a prehistoric ring-ditch, through given its proximity to a recorded enclosure it’s possible it could be something later, related to the enclosure.

Two pits (C012 and C014) were located in the interior of C010 in Trench 20. C012 was a shallow circular pit, which measured 0.77m in diameter and 0.05m deep; the main fill (C013) consisted of a soft black charcoal-rich silty ash. C014 was another circular pit, its measured 0.34m in diameter. The main fill (C015) consisted of a soft dark greyish-brown silty clay.

Barnahely A-D

Four areas (Areas A-D) outside the roadtake in the townland of Barnahely were identified as potential sites for temporary soil storage during the road construction. A geophysical survey was carried out in these areas in late April 2024 under registration no. R000733 (Dowling, 2024). The geophysical survey results, as well as the proximity of known sites within the roadtake, indicated that there are archaeological features within at least two of these additional areas, as well as other features of potential archaeological significance.

Overall, a total of 4,135 linear meters of trenching was carried out, using mainly a 2m-wide bucket. This represents 13.5% of the areas available for trenching.

Barnahely A (ITM ref: 577000, 564042)

A total of 28 trenches were excavated under archaeological supervision. The pattern of the trenches varied from what was originally proposed because it was found that an underground watermain was on a slightly different alignment then suggested by the mapping. Also, the eastern end of the field was the landowners’ access and this was not disturbed due to the very wet ground conditions.

At the time of testing the ground was waterlogged, perhaps due to the natural springs that are known to occur in the area. A number of these springs and associated drainage features were seen in the Barnahely 3a site that had been previously excavated within the roadtake.

Topsoil consisted of a brown silty clay with occasional small stones and was 0.12-0.3m in depth, the subsoil consisted of an orangey-brown silty clay with occasional stones and was 0.12-0.31 m in depth. The natural was a mottled orangey-brown/yellowish-brown sandy silt with abundant small stones.

Four Areas of archaeological potential (AP1-4) were identified within Barnahely A.

Trench A2 East

Trench A2 was orientated east-west and was the centreline trench with most of the other trenches being offsets perpendicular to this one. Several features were identified in this trench, and they are described here from east to west. C1044, located on the eastern end of Trench A2, was a ditch/drain orientated north-south, the dimensions were 0.8m wide and a depth of 0.18m. It had a sharp break of slope on the top, sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base with a concave base. The fill (C1045) consisted of a soft, light grey sandy silt with occasional stones.

C1046 was a drain orientated north-south, 0.6m wide and 0.25m deep. The fill (C1047) consisted of a soft grey silty clay with frequent large stones.

A sub-oval pit (C1048) with dimensions 0.63m by 0.49m and a depth of 0.08m was also identified in Trench A1. Its fill (C1049) consisted of a soft dark charcoal-rich silty clay with infrequent stones. This pit is included in an area of archaeological significance named ‘Barnahely A AP1’ for the purposes of this report. It may be related to a burnt mound identified in Trenches A4 and A5, which is described below. To the west was drain (C1050) which was orientated north–south and was 1.1m wide and 0.28m deep. It had a sharp break of slope on top, steep sides, a sharp break of slope on the base and a flat base. It had a single fill (C1051) that consisted of a firm mottled grey silty clay with occasional stones. Another adjacent drain (C1052) also orientated north–south, with dimensions of 1.63m wide and 0.14m deep. It had a sharp break of slope on both top and base, sloping sides with a flat base. Its fill (C1053) was a soft grey silty clay with occasional stones.

Barnahely A AP2

Four features containing burnt materials were identified within a 25m stretch of Trench A2. Because of the proximity of the features to each other this area is deemed to be of archaeological significance and was called Barnahely A1.

C1096 was a small spread of burnt material measuring 0.21m by 0.18m and 0.1m deep. It consisted of oxidised clay and charcoal flecking.

A series of plough furrows crossed the site, orientated northwest-southeast; a collective number was given (C1054) but are likely to be of early modern date and are not considered archaeologically significant. These had dimensions ranging from 0.3-0.4m wide and 0.03-0.08m deep. They had a gradual break of slope on top, gently sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a concave base. A representative sample of the furrows were noted.

A sub-oval spread of in-situ burning (C1056) with dimensions 0.43m long, 0.4m wide was also identified in this trench. It consisted of charcoal-rich silty clay with oxidised clay beneath. West of this was a sub-oval pit (C1057) with dimensions of 0.77m long, 0.53m wide and 0.05m deep. It had a sharp break of slope on top, gently sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a flat base. It had a single fill (C1058) which consisted of a soft charcoal-rich silty clay with occasional stones. The final feature within Barnahely A2 was another sub-oval pit (C1059); it was very similar to the previous context and was found adjacent to it. It had dimensions of 0.6m long and 0.42m wide.

Trench A2 Middle

An agricultural or drainage ditch (C1060) was located to the northwest of these pits. It was orientated north-west by south-east, with dimensions of 0.69m wide and 0.3m deep. It had two fills (C1061, C1062). The upper fill (C1061) consisted of a soft orangey-brown sandy silt, while the basal fill (C1062) consisted of a soft mid-grey silt.

A stone-lined drain (C1063) was found roughly mid-way along the trench. It was orientated north-west/south-east and had dimensions of 0.89m wide and 0.23m deep. The fill overlying the stone (C1064) consisted of a soft light grey silty clay. This drain was also identified in Trenches A10 and A14 and seemed to be a continuation of a system of drains that were identified in the excavation area Barnahely 3a. Natural springs were disturbed by the testing in this area, causing flooding.

Drain C1084 was located c. 1m to the west of this. It measured 1.5m wide and was also seen in Trench A23.

The easternmost of these drains (C1100) was seen in Trenches A10 and A14. In was orientated north-west/south-east and measured 1.2m wide and 0.5m deep. It was not identified in Trench 2, but the flooding in this area made it very difficult to see the ground surface so its presence should not be ruled out.

Barnahely A AP3

A burnt spread (C1065/1097) measuring 8.38m by 7.47m overall within the trenches was also identified in Trench A2. It consisted of a charcoal-rich silty clay with heat-affected stones. It was also found to be present in Trench A12 to the south.

Just north of C1065/1097 a large burnt mound, which was a continuation of the one part excavated in Barnahely 3a, was identified in Trenches A11, A12 and A13 and A14. The burnt mound (C1094) was in all four trenches. It was 37m long, 11m wide and 0.33m deep. Several pits in the vicinity of these mounds are likely to be associated with the same activity. These include:

• Two oval-shaped pits (C1090 and C1098) in Trench A11. C1090 was 1.1m long and 1m wide. The fill (C1091) consisted of a firm black charcoal-rich silty clay with frequent heat-affected stones. C1098 was located south of Trench 2 and was 1.1m long and 0.7m wide. The fill (C1099) consisted of a firm, black charcoal-rich silty clay with frequent heat-affected stones.
  • A sub-rectangular pit (C1092) in Trench A12 with dimensions of 1.4m long and 1.2m wide. The fill (C1093) consisted of a moderate mid-dark grey charcoal-rich silty clay with moderate heat-affected stones.

Trench A2 West

The western end of the trench contained a series of furrows and drains (C1076, C1074, C1071) orientated north-west/south-east. Two of these (C1076 and C1074) were also identified in Trench A16. Two further drains (C1069) and (C1066) were found to be in the western end of the trench and were orientated north-east/south-west.

Barnahely A AP1

Outside of Trench A2, in Trench A5 a burnt mound (C1095) with dimensions of 8m (east-west) long, 3m+ wide and a depth of 0.15m was identified. This was also noted in the edge of Trench 4. The spread consisted of a dark charcoal-rich silty clay with frequent heat-affected stones. As mentioned above, Pit C1048 in Trench A2 may also relate to this burnt mound.

Barnahely A AP4

A sub-oval burnt spread (C1126) was present in Trench A24 with dimensions of 3.7m long, 2.5+m wide and 0.27m deep. It consisted of dark charcoal-rich silty clay with heat-affected stones. A sub-circular pit (C1126) with dimensions of 0.64m long, 0.55m wide and 0.17m deep was located to the west of the spread and is likely to be associated with it. It had a sharp break of slope on top, concave sides, an imperceptible break of slope at the base and a concave base.

Drains outside of Trench A2

Trench A13 contained 2 stone-lined drains (C1087, C1120). C1087 was in the southern offset and was orientated northeast/southwest, had a sharp break of slope on the top and base, vertical sides and a flat base. The fill (C1088) consisted of a soft brown silty clay with no inclusions. The stone (C1089) consisted of large angular limestone. Its dimensions were 0.72m wide and 0.53m deep. This drain was also seen in Trench A12.

C1120 was in the northern offset of A13. It was orientated north-east by south-west and was unexcavated at the time, due to ground water flowing into the feature, displaying that the drain still functioned. It was 2.2m wide. It also had the western end of the burnt mound (C1094), which is mentioned above. Trench A15 was orientated north-south. It contained a drain (C1081) orientated north-east by south-west. It had a sharp break of slope on top, sloping sides, an imperceptible break of slope at the base and a concave base. The fill (C1082) consisted of a soft brown silty clay. The stone fill (C1083) was comprised of large angular limestone. Its dimensions were 0.66m wide and 0.32m deep. Trench A16 contained a drain (C1078) orientated south-west by north-east. It had a sharp break of slope both the top and base, vertical sides and a flat base. The fill (C1079) consisted of a soft brown silty clay with no inclusions. The stone lining (C1080) was comprised of large angular limestone. Its dimensions were 0.87m wide and 0.45m deep. C1074 and C1076 are also present in this trench continuing from Trench 2.

Trench A20 contained a drain (C1085) orientated south-west by north-east. It had a sharp break of slope on top, steep sides, an imperceptible break of slope at the base and a V-shaped base. It had a single fill (C1086) comprised of a soft mid-grey sandy clay with no inclusions. It was 0.4m wide and 0.25m deep.

Trench 24 contained a ditch (C1121) orientated southwest/northeast, which had a sharp break of slope on top, sloping sides, an imperceptible break of slope at the base and a flat base. The upper fill (C1122) consisted of a soft brown silty clay with occasional stones and was 0.28m deep. The basal fill consisted of a firm grey clay with occasional stones and was 0.26m deep. Its dimensions were 2.5m wide and 0.54m deep.

Barnahely B (ITM: 576932, 563985)

A total of 22 of the 23 trenches proposed, were excavated under archaeological supervision. Trench C23 could not be excavated as on the ground there was no room between the underground watermain and the hazard zone for the overhead line. The site was located north of the original CPO fence and south of the Janssen access road.

Topsoil consisted of a brown silty clay with occasional small stones and was 0.12-0.3m in depth, the subsoil consisted of an orangey-brown silty clay with occasional stones and was 0.12-0.31m in depth. The natural was a mottled orangey-brown/yellowish-brown sandy silt with abundant small stones.

No archaeology was identified in Barnahely B.

The original ground to the east of the field boundary (i.e. east of Trench B5) was steeply sloping down to the east and was found to have been levelled with 1m to >2m of densely compacted imported soils and building debris. The current landowner did not undertake this levelling but did hear this material may have originated from the nearby factory construction. Where this deep ground was encountered, topsoil was removed from the trench and a series of sondages were inserted into the made ground along the length of the trench. As the area is only proposed for topsoil storage this would not impact any archaeology that may exist over 2m under the compact made ground. Trenches B9, B14 and B15 all contained a single feature (C1038) which was a ditch orientated south-west by north-east, with a gradual break of slope on top, sloping sides, a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base. Its dimensions were 0.84m wide and 0.23m deep. It contained a single fill (C1039) which consisted of a firm greyish-brown silty clay with occasional stones. This feature was cut into the made ground at this location.

Trench B18 contained a ditch (C1036) which was orientated north-south with dimensions of 1.3m wide and 0.37m deep. It had a sharp break of slope on top, sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a flat base. It contained a single fill (C1037) which consisted of a firm greyish-brown silty clay with frequent sub-angular stones and infrequent charcoal. This ditch was also cut into made ground.

Barnahely C (ITM ref: 577490, 563987)

A total of 44 trenches were excavated in this area. Six of the originally proposed trenches could not be excavated due to the constraints of an overhead power line. Five area of archaeological potential (AP1-5) were identified in Barnahely C.

Trenches south of gas main

This site was located north of Barnahely 2 Area B and east of Barnahely graveyard. Test trenches were initially excavated at the southern side of Barnahely C, with the northern part (north of the gas main) completed after the landowner had cut silage.

Barnahely C AP1

It was initially planned to trench the portion of Area C that lies under a 110KV overhead line near its southern boundary. The geophysical survey had confirmed the continuation of an enclosure that had been part-excavated in Barnahely 2 within this area. However, ESB networks issued a clearance height of only 3m in this area which was too low even for a 9-tonne machine. The work would therefore require an outage which was not possible at that time, so no trenching was carried out in this overhead line hazard zone. Despite the lack of trenching the geophysical survey results clearly show the presence of the northern side of the enclosure excavated within Barnahely 2. This has therefore been designated an area of Archaeological potential – Barnahely C1.

It was particularly difficult to determine the level of natural ground in the southern part of Area C. The natural was very mixed and mottled making identification of features hard. This was also noted to be the case in the Barnahely 2 excavation area.

Trench C1 was orientated north-northwest to south-southeast. A ditch or possible drain (C1040) within this trench was orientated northeast-southwest with a sharp break of slope on top, steeply sloping to vertical sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a flat base. It contained a single fill (C1041) which consisted of a firm orangey-brown clayey silt with frequent stones. Its dimensions were 0.6m wide and 0.3m deep. Another linear feature (C1042) was also discovered 7m to the northwest. It was orientated north-east by south-west. Its dimensions were 0.75m wide and 0.24m deep. It had a gradual break of slope on both top and base, gently sloping sides and a concave base. The single fill (C1043) which consisted of a soft dark purpleish-brown sandy silt with frequent sub-angular stones. Both of these features were found to correspond to linear anomalies on the geophysical survey. C1042 was part of a long linear anomaly that was identified as C1007 in Trenches C19, C18, C11 and C23. This is likely the same liner feature that was excavated in Barnahely 1 Area C within the roadtake.

Trench C8 was orientated east-west and it contained a number of linear features, all of which correspond to geophysical anomalies. It contained a ditch at its eastern end (C1026) which was orientated north-east by south-west. It had an imperceptible break of slope on top, steeply sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and an almost flat base. It had a single fill (C1027) which consisted of a mottled mix of orange clayey-silt and grey silty clay with occasional stone and rare charcoal flecks. It dimensions were 0.7m wide and 0.2m deep.

Another ditch (C1034) with dimensions of 2.3m wide and 0.46m deep was present. It was orientated north-south and had a gradual break of slope on both top and base, gently sloping sides and a concave base. It contained a single fill (C1035) which consisted of a firm purpleish-brown silty clay with occasional stones and very infrequent charcoal. The geophysics indicated this ditch continued into Trench C14 but it was not identified during the course of this testing.

C1024 was parallel with and situated 2m west of C1034, with dimensions of 0.8m wide and 0.18m deep. It had a sharp break of slope on top, gently sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a flat base. It had a single fill (C1025) which consisted of a firm mid-brown silty clay with frequent stones and very infrequent charcoal. Another ditch (C1022) was present, orientated south-west by north-east with dimensions of 1.2m wide and 0.2m deep. It had a gradual break of slope on top, gently sloping sides, a gradual break of slope at the base and a concave base. It had a single fill (C1023) which consisted of a firm purpleish-brown silty clay with occasional stones and infrequent charcoal. The geophysical survey would indicate that this was possibly connected to C1024 at a right angle. C1020 in Trench C11 is also likely to be a continuation of it.

Barnahely C AP2

A curvilinear ditch (C1018) was also present in Trench C8 and returns for it were also found in the south and north of Trench C10. Its dimensions were 0.63m wide and 0.45m deep, it had a sharp break of slope on both top and base, vertical sides and a flat base. A single fill (C1019) consisted of a soft orangey-brown silty clay with infrequent charcoal, shell and animal bone. The curvilinear nature of this ditch, along with the presence of shell and bone indicates it may be of archaeological significance and so it has been designated Barnahely C2.

Trench C13 was an offset from Trench 8. It contained a shallow linear feature (C1028) 1.07m wide and 0.04m deep. It had a gradual break of slope on both top and base, gently sloping sides and flat base. It had a single fill (C1029) which consisted of a hard orange silty sand with abundant gravel. This feature was on the geophysical survey and there was a suggestion it continues into Trenches C8 and C12 but it could not be identified during testing, despite targeted searches of the location of the geophysical anomaly. This is perhaps due to the very shallow nature of the feature which may not have survived the stripping in this location.

Trench C14 was orientated east-west and contained linear feature (C1009) with dimensions of 0.6m wide and 0.2m deep and was present at the western side of the trench. It was L-shaped in plan corresponding to a trench on the geophysical survey. It had a sharp break of slope on top, steep sides to the west and sloping sides to the east with an imperceptible break of slope at the base and a concave base. It had a single fill (C1010) which consisted of a soft mid-greyish brown silty clay with occasional stone.

Trench C15 was an offset from 14, orientated north-south. It contained 2 ditches (C1030 and C1032) both orientated east-west. C1030 had a gradual break of slope on both top and base, gently sloping sides and a concave base. C1031 was the single fill and consisted of a soft brown silty clay with occasional stones. This feature corresponded with a geophysical survey anomaly. C1032 was 4.5m to the south. It had a gradual break of slope on both top and base, gently sloping sides and a concave base. C1033 was the fill and consisted of a firm brown silty clay with occasional stones. This feature was not on the geophysical survey.

Trench C19 was contained three features (C1003, C1005 and C1007). This trench crossed a geophysical anomaly that had been identified as a possible sinkhole, and was one of a string of such features that extends across Area C. This string of natural features is in line with a large natural depression that was identified during excavations of Barnahely 1a and 1f to the south. This seems to be a natural fault line in the limestone that results in sinkholes forming and infilling over time. The hollow in Trench C19 (C1005) was 9m long, 8m wide and 0.6m deep and was filled by grey silty clay (C1006). Pit C1003 was oval, with dimensions of 2.06m long, 1.24m wide and 0.51m deep. It seemed to be cut into the natural deposit C1006. It had a sharp break of slope on top, vertical sides, a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base. Its fill (C1004) consisted of a soft mottled greyish-brown stoney clay. While this pit may have an archaeological origin it is more likely that it is a result of sinkhole activity in this area. It was noted elsewhere along the scheme that in areas where sinkholes were present it was common to have very rounded well-defined features, but these seem to be the result of small sinkholes forming and then infilling. C1007 was a linear feature that also seems to be cut into C1006. It was orientated northeast to southwest and was also discovered in Trenches C11, C18, C20 and C23. It also seems to be the same feature as C1042 in Trench C1 as described above. It corresponds to a meandering geophysical anomaly. Its dimensions were 1.2m wide and 0.6m deep. It had a gradual break of slope on top, sharp/steep sides, moderate break of slope at the base and a flat base. It had a single fill (C1008) which consisted of a soft mottled greyish-brownish-orange silty clay with medium rough stones. In addition to the linear feature C1007, Trench C18 also contained a small pit (C1015) on its eastern side. The pit had a sharp break of slope on top, concave sides and base. It dimensions were 0.25m long, 0.22m wide and 0.1m deep. It had a single fill (C1016) which consisted of a soft sterile dark brown charcoal-rich silty clay.

The hazard zone of the east–west orientated gas main which crosses through Area C was not subject to testing. The geophysical survey confirmed disturbance throughout this area. Similarly, two parallel watermains occupy the western side of the northern part of Area C and there was no room for testing between these features.

Trenches north of gas main

A number of linear features (C1186, C1184 and C1182) were noted in the on the eastern side of Area C just north of the Gas Main. C1184 in Trenches C15, C27 and C19 corresponds to a geophysical anomaly, and is likely a continuation of the meandering linear ditch C1007/C1042 that was noted in several trenches south of the Gas Main. It was a similar shape with a similar fill (C1185) to the others. There were no artefacts found to date this linear feature, but its long meandering nature is notable. Linear feature C1186 was located in Trench C26 and was at a right angle to C1184 according to the geophysical survey results. It measures 0.52m wide and 0.08m deep and contained dark, grey brown silty clay (C1087).

A north–south orientated shallow linear feature C1182 was identified in Trenches C25 and C27. This was not on the geophysical survey. It measured 0.87m wide and 0.1m deep and contained soft, greyish-brown clay-sand (C1183).

Barnahely Area C AP3

A sub-rectangular pit (C1092) was identified in the western end of Trench C29. It measured 1.4m by 1.2m and was filled with mid-dark grey charcoal-rich silty clay and moderate mid-sized heat-affected stones (C1093). This feature was located on one of the geophysical anomalies that related to the string of natural geological depressions/sinkholes as mentioned above. Within Barnahely 1 and 2 it was observed that burnt mound activity, as seems to be indicated by C1092, often occurred in proximity to these infilled sinkholes. It is presumed that these natural depressions would have accumulated water, and this was then utilised in pyrolithic activity. There are no other above-ground water sources in the vicinity as it’s a limestone karst area where water quickly moved underground.

Barnahely Area C AP4

Located toward the centre of the site was the cut of a field boundary (C1144) orientated east-west across the site and matches an identified geophysical anomaly. It was 0.66m wide, had a depth of 0.38m and contained a single fill of friable, mid-brown silty sand (C1145). A small concentration of six pits and one possible sinkhole was identified directly to the south of the field boundary in Trenches C24 and C37.

The first of the pits (C1146) was located in Trench C24 and was roughly circular in plan and measured 1.2m in length, 1m wide and had depth of 0.2m. It contained a single fill of friable, mid-brown sandy clay (C1147). Located 1m to the southeast was a similar pit C1148. It was 1.02m in length, 0.76m wide and had a depth of 0.2m. It contained a single fill of friable, mid-brown silty sand (C1149). A possible sink-hole (C1150) was identified 3m to the southwest of these two pits which measured 0.78m in length, 0.64m in width and was excavated to a depth 0.35m. Located a further 7.5m to the south was another similar pit (C1151) which measured 1.04m in length, 0.97m in width and had a depth of 0.1m. It also contained a single fill of friable mid-brown silty sand (C1152).

Located to the west of this cluster of pits in Trench C37 were the other three pits which were relatively smaller in size. The first of these pits C1153 was 0.68m in length, 0.58m in width and had a depth of 0.27m. It contained a single fill of friable, mid-brown silty sand (C1154). Located 0.8m to the west was pit C1155 which was 0.34m length, 0.3m in width and had a depth of 0.15m. It contained a single fill of friable, dark brown silty sand (C1156). The last pit or possible post-hole in this cluster (C1157) was 0.3m length, 0.27m in width and had a depth of 0.09m. It contained a single fill of soft, blackish-brown silty sand.

Located at the western end of Trench C37 were two shallow north-south orientated plough furrows (C1159 and C1161) which measured between 0.4m and 0.45m wide and had a maximum depth of 0.15m.

Barnahely C AP5

A concentration of five pits and four linear features were identified at the eastern edge of the site in Trenches C38, C42 and the eastern end of Trench C41.

The first of the five pits (C1188) was located in Trench C38, it was irregular in shape and measured 2.1m in length, 1.8m in width and had a depth of 0.28m. It contained a single fill of dark grey-brown silty clay containing fragments of shell and medium sized stones (C1189). It was truncated to the east by a possible filed boundary (C1190) which had a visible length of 10m and a width of 0.6m.

Located to the northeast in Trench C41 was pit C1178. It was roughly circular in shape and measured 1.3m in length and was 1.1m in width. It contained a single fill of friable, dark brown silty sand (C1179). Pit 1176 was located at the junction of Trench C42 and C41 and corresponds to an identified geophysical anomaly. It was a large sub-oval pit which measured 2.36m in length, 2.18m in width and a depth of in excess of 0.3m.

To the east of this was pit C1172 which was 1.36m in length, 0.94m in width and had depth of 0.4m. It contained a single fill of friable dark brown silty sand (C1173). Pit C1170 was identified in a perpendicular extension to Trench C14 and was 0.8m in length and 0.73m in width. It contained a single fill of friable, light brown silty sand (C1171). Truncating both these pits was an east-west orientated linear feature (C1168) which was 0.4m wide and 0.09m deep. Linear feature C1174 was also identified in Trench C41, it runs perpendicular to linear feature C1168 and according to the geophysical survey is linked to C1166 in Trench C43. The last feature in the area (C1180) was located in Trench C42 and C41, it was an east-west orientated linear feature which was also identified during the geophysical survey.

Trench C43

Located to the north of AP5 was Trench C43 where three linear features, a sinkhole and a small pit were identified. The easternmost feature was C1166, a linear feature, which as mentioned above was linked to C1174 according to the geophysical survey. A sinkhole (C1165) was identified to the west of this which measured 2.7m long and 2.6m wide.

Two further linear features (C1163 and C1140) were located to the west of the sinkhole. Linear feature C1163 was orientated north-south and was 1m wide and 0.3m deep. This was not identified during the geophysical survey but linear feature C1140 was. It was orientated northwest-southeast, measured 0.78m wide, 0.1m deep and was also identified in Trench C24.

The last feature identified in Trench C43 was a small pit (C1142) located toward the western end of the trench. It was roughly circular in plan and measured 0.4m in length, 0.36m in width and had a depth of 0.1m. It contained a single fill of black sandy clay (C1143).

Barnahely C North (ITM ref: 577356, 563880)

In Barnahely C North eleven trenches were excavated and five linear features were identified. The features do not correspond to any historic mapping and there was no geophysical survey carried out in advance of the excavations.
The largest of the five features were two parallel ditches (C1134 and C1136), most like a double ditch field boundary. They were orientated roughly north-south and were identified in Trenches CN4, CN6, CN8 and CN10. They averaged 2.2m in width and were filled by a mid-brown-grey sandy silt. Located to the west of these was another linear feature (C1136) which was identified in Tranches CN1, CN6 and CN8. It averaged 2m in width and was orientated roughly north-south. Located in the northern edge of the field in Trenches CN3 and CN1 were two smaller linear features, C1130 and C1132. They were orientated east-west and had an average width of 1.45m and had an average depth of 0.11m.

Barnahely D (ITM ref: 577778, 563967)

Seven test trenches were excavated in Barnahely D. This was an area directly to the east of Barnahely C. Three features were identified during the work in this area. There was no indication of date, but these features are of low archaeological potential and most likely related to early modern or modern agricultural activity.

Trench D1 contained a linear feature (C1196) orientated north-south. It was 0.9m wide and 0.18m deep and contained a friable light brown clay sand fill (C1197).

Trench 4 contained a possible pit (C1198). It was 0.6m in length, 0.56m wide and 0.11m deep. It contained a friable blackish-brown clay sand (C1199). It also contained a linear feature (C1200) orientated north-south. This was 0.8m in width and 0.12m deep. It was filled by a grey-brown silty sand (C1201).

Loughbeg Gas Main (ITM ref: 578062, 563999)

A total of five trenches were excavated in the hazard zone of a gas main in the townland of Loughbeg. These totalled 237.27m, and with trenches 1.8m wide this represents 15.8% of the trenchable area.

Two shallow linear features were identified during the testing. There was no indication of date but these features are of low archaeological potential and most likely related to early modern or modern agricultural activity.

Trench GM3 contained a shallow linear feature (C5000) orientated north-south which had a width of 0.72m and a depth of 0.12m. It contained a single fill (C5001) of mid-brown silty clay. This linear feature is in line with a feature (C34010) that was noted in Phase 1 testing of the scheme and is likely to be the same feature. This was also interpreted as an early modern/ modern agricultural feature during the Phase 1 testing.

Trench GM5 contained a stone-lined drain (C5002) orientated north-west/south-east which had a width if 0.72m and a depth of 0.28m. It contained a single fill (C5003) of mid-brown silty clay with sun-angular lining stones.

ARCH 50, 50 and 54 (Area: ARCH 50, ARCH 51. ITM ref: 1a(i) 578273, 563775)

A trench (FW13.01) 5m in length was situated in a parking area to the rear of commercial properties. This was excavated to investigate the possible presence of a pre-1840 vernacular structure visible on First Edition Ordnance Survey mapping (ARCH 50). Excavation revealed 0.7m of limestone chipping, stone and brick fragment surfacing above mid pink-brown clay-silt subsoil with roots 0.25m in depth. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in this trench. A second trench (FW13.02) was situated to the east for the purpose of identifying a vernacular building visible on Ordnance Survey mapping (ARCH 51), but it could not be excavated by machine, due to the proximity of overhead lines and the gradient of the slope. It was not possible to lift an excavator onto the area. As a result, a 1m² trench was excavated by hand to the natural – a depth of 0.3m.

Nothing of archaeological significance was found in this trench.

Ringaskiddy, possible trackway (Area: ARCH 54 ITM ref: 1a(i)m 578517, 564216)

Three trenches, each 5m in length, were situated on steeply sloping ground overlooking Ringaskiddy to the north. These trenches were excavated in order to identify the possible presence of a trackway visible on First Edition Ordnance Survey 6” mapping (ARCH 54). The trenches were excavated revealing 0.2–0.4m of topsoil over natural limestone bedrock. It is possible that a trackway may have followed the contour of the outcrop of bedrock at this location, but no evidence for a constructed trackway was uncovered.

Barnahely Outfall (ITM ref: 577599, 563690)

Four trenches were excavated c. 100m south of an early medieval enclosure complex (Barnahely 2). The testing site was located at the base of a steep slope, while Barnahely 2 was located at the top of the slope. The trenches totalled 67.44m in length and were 1.8m wide, resulting in 12% coverage of the area. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered.