2002:0298 - CURRAHEEN 3, Cork

During pre-development testing in the townland of Curraheen, carried out as part of the N22 Ballincollig Bypass Scheme, a stone alignment oriented east–west was visible. The feature was in an area of flat, marshy land near a cluster of fulachta fiadh and related features. To the north a multi-phased settlement site was discovered (No. 296, Excavations 2002, 01E1209).

The feature consisted of an east–west alignment of irregularly shaped blocks of water-eroded limestone spreading outward as it extended east, forming the shape of a keyhole. The boulders ranged from 0.4m to 1.5m in diameter. When viewed from the surrounding areas, the eastern extent of the stone formation appeared to stand on a low-lying earthen mound. The alignment measured 15.6m east–west by 14.2m. Although the site was not listed in the Sites and Monuments Record, it was decided to insert a test-trench by hand across its eastern extent to identify any archaeological deposits that may have been present.

The trench ran north–south and was 15m long and 1m wide. All of the deposits were interpreted as being natural in origin, but evidence of later activity was unearthed at the northern and southern extents. At these points, disturbance by relatively recent farming activity was evident. At the northern end, sherds of post-medieval pottery (North Devon gravel-tempered ware) were found in the topsoil. At the southern end a fragment of cow bone and charcoal staining were discovered in a clay deposit, while below these were lengths of fencing wire.

Excavation of this test-trench revealed that the deposits were non-archaeological and that many were possibly a result of glacial action.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth