County: Cork Site name: KILBRIEN (2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO044-086---- Licence number: 03E1089
Author: Eamonn Cotter, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Charcoal-making site
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 579853m, N 592824m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.086976, -8.293971
Testing in this area was carried out in 2002 by Donald Murphy, on behalf of Cork County Council, in advance of construction of the route of the proposed N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass Scheme (Excavations 2002, No. 346, 02E0713–02E0720). A number of possible features were identified, including one possible hearth, one post-hole and four stake-holes. These were designated as Kilbrien 2 and full excavation was carried out in July 2003.
Topsoil was stripped over an area of c. 769m2. Two circular pits were uncovered, one measuring 1m in diameter and 0.1m deep, the other 0.6m in diameter and 0.26m deep. Both showed evidence of intense burning and contained layers of charcoal. They are believed to have been charcoal production pits. Three stake-holes were uncovered close to one of the pits. Charcoal samples were retained and radiocarbon dates are pending.
Full funding for this work was provided by the National Development Plan and was awarded through the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
