County: Cork Site name: CORRIN (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO035-050003- Licence number: 03E0912
Author: Aidan O'Connell, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 581161m, N 595469m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.110793, -8.275038
The site at Corrin 1 was excavated, in advance of the N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass Scheme, over a period of seven weeks from 25 August to 10 October 2003. It consisted of a substantial earthwork enclosure, approximately 100m in diameter. The outer (eastern) portion of the enclosure was impacted tangentially along its circumference by the route of the proposed bypass for a distance of 55m. The area of impact was fully excavated in advance of road construction.
The excavation revealed the external ditch, which averaged 4m wide and 1.6m deep. There were five to seven clay fills were fairly uniform throughout and showed evidence of silting over time. Four pieces of metal slag were excavated near the base of the ditch and probably relate to the occupation of the site. The two upper fills consisted of of clay backfill containing post-medieval and modern finds. Part of the causewayed entrance was located at the northern end of the enclosure, partially within the area of excavation. Some external features were noted to the immediate north of the enclosure. These included two metalled trackways, seven post-holes, nineteen stake-holes and three pits. The interior of the enclosure was not impacted on by the proposed route.
The work was funded in full by the National Development Plan 2000–2006 and awarded by the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
