2026:252 - Killacloyne, Cork

A programme of archaeological test trenching was undertaken in the townland of Killacloyne, near Carrigtwohill in Co. Cork. Test trenching was being carried out as part of a response to an Request for Further Information received from Cork County Council and followed on from a geophysical survey (Dowling 2026, License No. 26R0004).

The fieldwork was undertaken between March 31 and April 9, 2026. Approximately 5,314 linear metres of test trenches were excavated across the site.

A range of archaeological features were identified in three principal clusters, with a small number of small, isolated deposits also identified. No archaeological finds were located or recovered during testing programme.

Relict field system and pit features
In Fields 1 and 6, the identified archaeological deposits comprise primarily linear features and a small number of possible pit features concentrated to the east of the site. In total, three linear features and five possible pits were identified in Field 1. The preceding geophysical survey and this programme of test trenching shows that some of these linear features cross the existing fields boundaries between Field 1 and Field 6. Two further possible pits (C56); (C58) were identified in Field 6. The linear features potentially represent a relict field system not marked on the First Edition 6-inch map of 1842. Two of these linear features ((C52) and (C54)) measure over 70m in length and have distinct V-shaped profiles approximately 1.1m in width and 1m in depth at the top.

Burnt Mound
In Field 5, a burnt mound deposit (C42) was identified across two trenches (Trench 54 and Trench 60) in a low-lying hollow. This deposit measures approximately 16.5m (east-west) x 5.5m and comprises a spread of heat-affected stones within a friable, mixed sandy silt matrix containing charcoal.

Enclosure sites and features in immediate proximity

The greatest concentration of archaeological deposits is to the west and northwest of the site in Fields 2, 3 and 4.

• Circular Enclosure with internal features
Within Field 3, an enclosure site was confirmed to the north of the field. It comprises a univallate enclosure (C6: Dimensions 43.2 m south-south-west/north-north-east x 48.1m) defined by an earth-cut ditch varying between 1.7m and 2.1m in width.

An inner concentric circular deposit (C12: Dimensions 26.5m south-south-west/north-north-east) that measures just 0.3-0.5m in width was also identified. This may represent a slot trench for a second enclosing feature (drainage feature?) rather than a second enclosing ditch proper. Centrally located within this inner enclosing element was a possible house site with a circular plan (3.1m north-west/south-east).

• Oval Enclosure
Sixty-six metres to the southwest and across the boundary between Field 3 and Field 4, a second enclosure was confirmed defined by an earth-cut ditch varying between 1.15m and 1.5m in width (C19: oval in plan: 49.2m north-north-west/south-south-east x 38.1m). No features or archaeological deposits were identified within the interior of this enclosure.

• Pit and Post-hole cluster
Between the two enclosures, a cluster of possible pit and post-hole features were identified, including potentially part of a circular arrangement of possible post-holes (C27-C32) in Trench 8.

• Irregular linear features
Within Field 2 a number of shallow and irregular linear features located adjacent and to the northeast of the northern enclosure appeared to define small irregular plots. This area may represent enclosure of small plots of land associated with the adjacent enclosure site, though relationship between the two areas was not clearly evident or demonstratable, and is currently assumed due to proximity.