2003:0143 - AUGHINIDA/SHANAKILL/KILBERRIHERT, Cork

Testing was undertaken in February 2002 and June 2003 on behalf of ESBI Engineering Ltd, at a number of locations for proposed intermediate pole sets and angle masts associated with Clashavoon 220kV substation in Aughinida townland, near Macroom, Co. Cork. The programme of testing was undertaken in the vicinity of a number of archaeological sites along the four routes (Routes 1–4) which comprise the Clashavoon Line Loop. The routes radiate from the Clashavoon substation, in a south and south-west direction for Routes 1 and 2, each measuring approximately 1.5km in length, and in a north and north-west direction for Routes 3 and 4, which each measure 400m. During monitoring by Stephen Johnston under licence number 01E1210 at the site of the substation, a fulacht fiadh was identified, a portion of which was excavated by Ellinor Larsson in 2002 (Excavations 2002, No. 213, 02E1039).

Testing was carried out by inserting a single trench at the location of each intermediate pole set (IMP) and two trenches at the location of each angle mast, reflecting the position of the pole sets or the location of the legs of the angle masts. Fifteen trenches were excavated at nine locations, situated in mainly low-lying wet fields under heavy grass, in the vicinity of known archaeological sites and areas of archaeological potential. The majority of the trenches were situated in the vicinity of the Clashavoon 220kV substation in Aughinida townland, with two trenches in the adjoining townland of Kilberrihert and three in Shanakill townland to the south. In June 2003 the two final trenches of the testing programme were mechanically excavated at the location of IMP 6, where a single field drain was identified in one of the trenches.

The testing revealed no archaeological finds, features or deposits at the proposed locations of the angle masts and pole sets.

32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2