2026:209 - Killowen, Cork

Sample excavation was undertaken in June 2026 at a coastal promontory fort (SMR CO113-023) in Killowen townland near Nohoval in South Cork. The purpose of the excavation was to record archaeological deposits at a site impacted by coastal erosion. It was hoped to recover occupation and dating information connected to the history of this site, named ‘Doonsorske’ on historic maps.

The investigation provided some information on the construction and occupation of the promontory fort. The main bank was built using soil and stone dug from an exterior ditch. The sharp profile of the bank today suggests the exterior is retained by stone walling, though that is notnow visible. There are indications of terracing on the inner side of the bank, with two steps visible on the lower slope north of the trench.  The excavation did not expose that terracing, but did identify erosion of the inner side of the bank over a long period, where initial silting along that slope was followed by a slow collapse of stony sediment. This bank slip sealed evidence of a fire lit directly on the old ground surface. This informal hearth is likely to be contemporary with occupation of the promontory fort as any early activity would have been disturbed during construction.  Radiocarbon of charcoal from that fire should provide an indication of that early occupation. The excavation did not uncover any material culture or other finds connected to the history of this site.