1996:047 - DOWNMACPATRICKHEAD OR OLD HEAD, Cork

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Cork Site name: DOWNMACPATRICKHEAD OR OLD HEAD

Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 137:008006 Licence number: 92E0107

Author: Rose M Cleary, Dept. of Archaeology, University College Cork

Site type: Castle - tower house and Bawn

Period/Dating: Multi-period

ITM: E 563157m, N 540268m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.613705, -8.531980

The excavations in the vicinity of the de Courcey Castle and in the fosse were relatively limited in extent. The results have, however, contributed to the interpretation of the archaeological remains.

The excavation of two sections of the fosse has shown the depth of the rock-cut ditch and its subsequent infill history. A shell sample submitted for radiocarbon dating (GrN22475: 310±30 BP) confirmed the period in which the ditch began to be infilled. There was no indication from the fill of the ditch as to when it was first dug, i.e. in the Iron Age or the medieval period. If the embankment against the footing of the castle and curtain-wall originated from material excavated from the fosse, this suggests that the fosse was at least redug at the same time as the construction of the castle and curtain-wall.

The entrance area to the Old Head in the medieval period appears to have had either an arched wall across the access with a supporting pillar to the west or a small tower on the west side. This is suggested by the widening of the wall foundations at the east end of the curtain-wall. The medieval roadway was uncovered during the excavation but left in situ. The access was made narrower in the nineteenth century and was widened again in recent times.