2002:0349 - N8 RATHCROMAC–FERMOY BYPASS, Cork

Testing was carried out along the line of the proposed N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass between May and October 2002. This project was funded by the Irish government under the National Development Plan, 2000–2006. The archaeological costs were funded by the National Roads Authority through Cork County Council as part of the Authority’s commitment to protecting our cultural heritage. Of the 17.5km length of the route, 14.5km was tested. The remaining 3km represented a mixture of land not made available to Cork County Council by the owners, wooded areas and lands not worth testing owing to the small size of the holding. Fourteen potential sites were identified during the initial environmental impact statement: seven enclosure sites (Sites 1, 4, 8, 10–13), four possible fulachta fiadh (Sites 2, 6, 7 and 9), a demesne wall (Site 14), an area of differential growth (Site 3) and a limekiln (Site 5). The limekiln was removed from the contract before work began. Most of the remaining sites were outside the road-take (Sites 2, 8–13). The recommendation in the environmental impact statement was for testing of the part of the road close to those sites. The sites to be directly impinged on (Sites 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 14) were to be either tested to assess their extent and significance (Sites 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7) or recorded by survey (Site 14). In addition, the remainder of the proposed route was to be tested by means of a centre-line trench with regular offshoots on either side. After examination of aerial photographic coverage of the route carried out on behalf of Cork County Council, twelve additional potential sites were identified (AP 1–12). These sites were tested as part of the main centre-line trenching. Eight separate licences were applied for to fulfil the requirements of the contract, and investigations were completed as follows.

Sites 3 and 8 and the general centre-line
02E0713
Site 3 was tested as part of the main centre-line trench and proved to be non-archaeological. Site 8 was well outside the roadway and was therefore not tested. The field closest to Site 8 could not be tested owing because it is currently used as a football pitch. The general testing consisted of a trench excavated along the centre-line of the proposed road with offshoots to the fence-line every 12.5m on alternate sides. This centre-line testing resulted in the identification of 36 sites of archaeological potential. These were classified as follows.

Ballybrowney Lower 2, Chainage 5850
179158 090449
Possible small habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a single post-hole and a pit. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. No dating evidence was recovered.

Ballynahina 1, Chainage 9500
180448 093831
Possible fulacht fiadh and other features
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a possible fulacht fiadh, two pits, two possible field boundaries and a single pit. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. Topsoil-stripping followed by full archaeological excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Ballynamona, Chainage 15950
181827 099736
Three pits
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed three pits in close proximity to each other. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. No dating evidence was recovered.

Corrin 2, Chainage 11000
181203 095138
Pits and post-holes
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a number of possible pits, a burnt clay area and post-holes at the southern end of the field. There is a possibility that additional features exist between the test-trenches. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Corrin 3, Chainage 10260
180824 094496
Pit and stake-hole
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a single pit at the southern end of the field. A single stake-hole was uncovered 120m (NGR 180890 094600) north of the pit. Topsoil-stripping at both locations should be followed by full excavation of any features uncovered before construction.

Corrin 4, Chainage 11600
181355 095687
Burnt stone spreads
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed two burnt stone areas with charcoal inclusions. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Corrin 5, Chainage 11550
181238 095864
Stone feature
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed an unusual stone feature that could not be investigated fully during this phase owing to constraints of time and lack of landowner permission. Topsoil-stripping to assess archaeological potential properly, followed by full excavation if any features of significance are uncovered, is recommended before construction.

Curraghprevin 1, Chainage 5150
179163 089750
Stone wall and hearth
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a stone-walled feature and a possible hearth to the north of it. The wall may represent part of a structure as it appears to return eastward. No buildings or field boundaries are marked at this location on the various OS maps. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. No dating evidence was recovered.

Curraghprevin 3, Chainage 4650
179098 089247
Habitation
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a number of pits, a linear feature, burnt clay areas and post-holes at the southern end of the field. It is possibly a habitation site. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Fermoy 1, Chainage 14700
182128 098526
Fulacht fiadh
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed the remains of a small fulacht fiadh, or burnt stone spread, measuring c. 5m in diameter. No associated trough was exposed, but it may be present below the spread. The area here is quite wet and less than 100m from the River Blackwater.

Fermoy 2, Chainage 14500
182185 098334
Possible habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed seventeen features of archaeological potential dispersed throughout the field. They were all found on the north-facing slope of the hill and included pits, linear features, burnt areas and post-holes. Other features are likely to be present between the offsets. No dating evidence was recovered.

Fermoy 3, Chainage 13900
182248 097794
Pits and post-holes
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed eleven features of archaeological potential dispersed throughout the field. They were mainly in two groups: one at the location indicated by an aerial photograph of the route and the other concentrated at the northern end of the field. Other features are likely to be present between the offsets, and therefore initial topsoil-stripping in both areas is recommended before construction.

Garynacole 1, Chainage 7750
179720 092247
Two pits and a slot-trench
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed two pits and a possible slot-trench. No dating evidence was recovered. Further features are likely to occur between the offsets.

Kilbrien 1, Chainage 8380
179996 092808
Two possible pits and three post-holes
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed two pits and three post-holes. Further features are likely to occur between the offsets. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Kilbrien 2, Chainage 8400
179904 092886
Possible hearth, post-hole and four stake-holes
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed six features of archaeological potential: a possible hearth, a single post-hole and four stake-holes. These features are situated along the proposed realignment of the Ballyhooly–Rathcormac Road. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation is recommended before construction.

Lisnagar Demesne 1, Chainage 6450
179239 091043
Possible habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed 29 features of archaeological potential, including pits, spreads, post-holes and possible ditches. This site is likely to represent a substantial settlement site and is near a ringfort (Site 13; see below). Topsoil-stripping followed by full excav-ation is recommended before construction.

Lisnagar Demesne 2, Chainage 7100
179449 091657
Fulacht fiadh
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a burnt stone spread in what was formerly a marshy area. This fulacht fiadh is close to two similar spreads (Lisnagar Demesne 3), and it is likely that other spreads will be exposed during construction. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation is, therefore, recommended before construction.

Lisnagar Demesne 3, Chainage 7150
179470 091702
Fulacht fiadh
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed the remains of two burnt stone spreads, or fulachta fiadh, in a former marshy area close to Lisnagar Demesne 2. Other spreads are likely to be exposed during construction works. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation is, therefore, recommended before construction.

Lisnasallagh 1, Chainage 17100
181864 100884
Possible wall
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed the remains of a possible wall of unknown date. No other features were noted, and no dating evidence was recovered.

Lisnasallagh 2, Chainage 16700
181850 100484
Isolated pit
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed an isolated pit containing fragments of coarseware pottery of likely Bronze Age date. Topsoil-stripping of an area around the pit followed by excavation of any features exposed is recommended before construction.

Lisnasallagh 3, Chainage 16450
181823 100236
Possible habitation
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed six features of archaeological potential: four pits, stake-holes and a possible hearth. These may be the remains of a small habitation site. No dating evidence was recovered.

Maulane East 1, Chainage 5550
179160 090149
Possible small habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed eight features of archaeological potential dispersed throughout the field: two possible hearths, three stake-holes and three pits. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Mondaniel 1, Chainage 8650
180036 093089
Four possible hearths
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed four small areas of burning that may represent hearths. No dating evidence was recovered. Further investigation is necessary before construction.

Mondaniel 2, Chainage 8450
179955 092906
Two possible hearths and a pit
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed three features of archaeological potential: two possible hearths and a small pit. Topsoil-stripping of an area around these features followed by full excavation of any other features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Mondaniel 3, Chainage 9220
180318 093629
Possible linear features, stake-holes and post-holes
A number of features dispersed along the road- take, including post-holes, stake-holes and linear features, were identified during testing. It is likely that additional features will be exposed between trenches. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation is recommended before construction.

Mondaniel 4, Chainage 9370
180401 093770
Pits, post-holes and oxidised areas
Fifteen features were exposed during testing, some of which had multiple contexts; for example, F68003 is a group of six stake-holes. Within the field, one irregularly shaped feature, two linear features, two pits, five post-holes and twelve stake-holes were identified, which were dispersed throughout the opened trenches. It is likely that further features exist between the trenches, and therefore it is recommended that the entire field be stripped, assessed and fully excavated before road construction.

Rathealy 1, Chainage 15250
181970 099052
Two pits and a possible hearth
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed three features of potential: two pits and a possible hearth. They were situated at the northern end of the field, on the brow of the hill. No dating evidence was recovered.

Rathealy 2, Chainage 15800
181845 099587
Seven pits
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed seven pits dispersed throughout the field. Further features might come to light during construction works. Topsoil-stripping followed by a full excavation of any features uncovered is therefore recommended before construction.

Scartbarry 1, Chainage 2800
178392 087553
Possible fulacht fiadh
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed the remains of a possible fulacht fiadh, or burnt stone spread, c. 10m in diameter. The site is in a marshy area. No associated trough was exposed, but it may be present beneath the spread.

Scartbarry 3, Chainage 3550
178726 088223
Habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a possible enclosure ditch with four interior charcoal spreads and a possible drying kiln. In addition, five charcoal spreads were revealed to the north of the possible enclosure. This site is on the crest of a small hill and may represent a habitation site such as a ringfort. Topsoil-stripping of the area around the enclosure followed by a full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Scartbarry 4, Chainage 3250
178574 087964
Pits and a post-hole
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed four pits and a possible post-hole dispersed throughout the field. Topsoil-stripping of the areas around these features followed by a full excavation of any other features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Scartbarry 5, Chainage 3450
178675 088137
Possible isolated hearth
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a possible isolated hearth with associated post-hole. Topsoil-stripping of the area around the feature followed by a full excavation of any other features uncovered is necessary.

Skahanagh North 1, Chainage 1290
177604 086291
Possible cremation pit
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed an isolated possible cremation pit containing burnt bone. This feature was excavated during testing, but topsoil-stripping around it is required to determine whether any further features are present. Full excavation of any features uncovered should then be carried out.

Skahanagh North 2, Chainage 1500
177781 086418
Possible ring-ditch
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed a possible enclosure and some small internal features, including a charcoal spread and three pits. This may represent a habitation or ritual site. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Skahanagh North 4, Chainage 1300
177651 086266
Five charcoal spreads
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed five charcoal spreads dispersed throughout the field. These may be part of the general archaeological activity evident in the Skahanagh North area. Topsoil-stripping of the area around these features followed by full excavation of any other features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Skahanagh North 5, Chainage 1150
177558 086148
Pit
Testing carried out within the road-take here revealed an isolated pit that was heavily oxidised and contained abundant quantities of charcoal. Topsoil-stripping of the area around the feature is recommended to determine whether further features are present. This should be followed by full excavation of any features uncovered.

Site 13
Enclosure
02E0714
Site 13 was identified in the environmental impact statement as an extant enclosure. It is just outside the road-take and will not be impinged on. Testing of the area of the route close to this site was carried out under licence, and a site of archaeological potential was exposed that is probably associated with the enclosure. This site has been classified as follows.

Ballybrowney Lower 1 (Site 13), Chainage 6000
179080 90670
Possible habitation in proximity to Site 13
Testing carried out within the road-take near Site 13, an extant ringfort, revealed fourteen features of archaeological potential. Site 13 is less than 150m from the proposed road. A demesne wall (Site 14) borders the northern side of the field. This was surveyed by plan, elevation and photograph. The fourteen features of potential were two distinct groupings and a number of isolated features. The isolated features were two pits, a post-hole and a possible hearth. Group I was a possible ditch, two pits and a post-hole. Group II was two hearths, two spreads and a pit. The features are probably associated with the nearby ringfort (Site 13). Full excavation is recommended before construction.

Near Sites 10, 11 and 12
Enclosures
02E0715
Sites 10, 11 and 12 represent enclosures identified through aerial photography. They are just outside the road-take and will not be impinged on. Testing of the area of the route near these sites was carried out, and a site of archaeological potential was exposed that is probably associated with these enclosures. This site has been classified as follows.

Scartbarry 2 (Sites 10–12), Chainage 2250
178195 087041
Possible habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here, near three recorded enclosures that are all outside the road (Sites 10–12), revealed thirteen features of archaeological potential. These were all on the summit of the ridge and consisted mainly of pits and post-holes. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recomm-ended before construction.

Site 7
Possible fulacht fiadh
02E0716
This site was not tested as access was denied by the landowner.

Site 6
Possible fulacht fiadh
02E0717
This site was not tested as access was denied by the landowner.

Sites 4 and 9
Enclosure and possible fulacht fiadh
02E0718
Sites 4 and 9 were identified (through aerial photography) in the environmental impact statement as an enclosure and a possible fulacht fiadh. The enclosure lay along the fence-line of the proposed road and may extend into the road-take. The fulacht fiadh was clearly outside the road-take and will not be impinged on. Testing of the area along the fence-line revealed that a small part of the enclosure extended into the road-take. This site has been classified as follows.

Corrin 1 (Site 4), Chainage 11250
181253 095371
Enclosure
Testing carried out within the road-take here confirmed the presence, at the northern end of the field, of an enclosing ditch that had been previously identified through aerial photography (Site 4). Associated with this were a curvilinear feature and a pit. There is a strong likelihood that further archaeological material exists between the test-trenches. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation of any features uncovered is recommended before construction.

Site 2
Fulacht fiadh
02E0719
Site 2 was identified in the environmental impact statement as a fulacht fiadh. It is just outside the road-take and will not be impinged on. Testing of the area of the route close to this site was carried out, and a site of archaeological potential was exposed. This site has been classified as follows.

Curraghprevin 2 (Site 2), Chainage 4200
178983 088819
Possible habitation site
Testing carried out within the road-take here in the vicinity of a fulacht fiadh (Site 2) revealed 22 features of archaeological potential spread out over the south-facing slope of the ridge. No trace of the fulacht fiadh was found, and it is marked outside the road on the SMR. The features uncovered consisted of two main zones of archaeology. Zone I contained seven pits and two possible hearths in the northern half of the field. Zone II contained nine pits in the southern half of the field. Other, isolated features were three charcoal spreads and a pit. Topsoil-stripping followed by full excavation is recommended before construction.

Site 1
Enclosure
02E0720
Site 1 was identified in the environmental impact statement as a destroyed enclosure now visible only through aerial photography. It is situated along the fence-line and will be affected by the route. Testing of the area along the fence-line was carried out, and one-third of the enclosure was exposed within the road-take. This site has been classified as follows.

Skahanagh North 3, Chainage 950
177510 085940
Enclosure and associated features
Testing carried out in the vicinity of Site 1, a ploughed-out ringfort, revealed that almost one-third of this site is within the road-take. The ringfort had been badly destroyed when it was ploughed out by the landowner several years ago but was clearly visible on recent aerial photographs. All that remained of the enclosure was the bottom of the surrounding ditch. Five charcoal spreads and a possible pit were exposed and are also likely to be associated with the site. In addition, a possible cremation pit was exposed elsewhere in the field, possibly of Bronze Age date. The features were covered and await full resolution before construction.

Conclusion
It was recommended that all of the above sites be resolved before construction works on the proposed motorway start. Further centre-line testing was recommended once the necessary lands become available, and the remainder of the previously identified sites not tested (Sites 6 and 7) will also require investigation before construction.

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