County: Cork Site name: CARRIGROHANE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO073-082---- Licence number: 03E0967
Author: Colm Moloney, Headland Archaeology Ltd
Site type: Ringfort - rath and Souterrain
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 560059m, N 570629m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.886397, -8.580208
Testing was undertaken at Carrigrohane, Ballincollig, Co. Cork, as part of a pre-planning archaeological impact assessment for the construction of the Cork Fire Services headquarters. The site of the proposed development is situated in the zone of archaeological potential for a circular enclosure, noted on an aerial photograph.
The cropmarks consist of two concentric rings with a maximum diameter of approximately 60m and an enclosed area with an estimated diameter of 40–45m. Both the inner and outer ditches were identified in the test-trenches. A fragment of souterrain ware was recovered from the upper fill of the external ditch. Evidence for a possible souterrain was identified within the enclosure, as were a number of further internal features interpreted as rubbish pits and post-holes. Evidence for activity outside the defences of the ringfort was also identified in the form of cultivation furrows and pits.
Unit 4b, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
