County: Cork Site name: INCHIQUIN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 93E0182
Author: Eamonn Cotter
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 603749m, N 574861m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.925859, -7.945489
The site was located close to Inchiquin Castle, a circular Norman keep. Archaeological testing was carried out prior to the construction of a proposed bungalow in the area.
Two parallel trenches, each measuring 10m x 1m, were excavated across the area of the proposed bungalow, with a further linking trench running at right angles to them. The trenches were excavated down to natural subsoil and were found to be archaeologically sterile.
Also excavated were five percolation test pits, each measuring 1m x 1.5m x 1.5m deep, as required by the local planning authority. Only one of these revealed any feature. The north section of this pit revealed the existence of a ditch which appears to run in a north-east/south-west direction. The ditch seemed to be a wide cut with steeply sloping sides and a flat base, with a maximum depth of 1m below present ground surface. Its fill contained occasional flecks of charcoal, but no artefacts.
The first edition 6' OS map shows that the entire area around the site was planted with trees, possibly an orchard, and it is likely that the ditch was associated with this. It is also clear from the map that the present field boundary system is a relatively recent construction so that the area has been extensively altered and disturbed in recent times.
Ballynanelagh, Rathcormac, Co. Cork
