1991:022 - LISNACAHERAGH, Garranes, Cork

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Cork Site name: LISNACAHERAGH, Garranes

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 84:84 Licence number:

Author: M. G. O'Donnell., Dept. of Archaeology, University College Cork

Site type: Ringfort- rath

Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)

ITM: E 547261m, N 564063m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.826324, -8.765098

A six-week excavation of the ringfort at Lisnacaheragh, Garranes, took place in August–September 1991. This was the second season of excavation in the current research programme although the site had been partly excavated by Prof. S.P. Ó Ríordáin in the 1930s.

In 1991 Trench 1, which was situated opposite the entrance on the west side of the fort, produced evidence of part of the burnt walls of a roundhouse, the first definite evidence for domestic habitation at Garranes. Another trench, Trench 4, was opened just inside and to the north of the entrance. The 'Black Layer', a thick charcoal rich layer previously excavated by Prof. Ó Ríordáin, was uncovered in Trench 4 and a sherd of 'B' ware and a perforated stone disc were found associated with the layer. The evidence from Trench 4, which is not yet fully excavated, indicated that the eastern end of the site had been levelled-up before the ringfort had been built and that the site had been occupied prior to the erection of the ringfort banks.

It is hoped to continue the excavation in 1992. The excavation was funded by the OPW through the National Committee for Archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy.