County: Cork Site name: N8, Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass, Phase 2
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E0713 ext.
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 576995m, N 585187m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.018215, -8.335165
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 Government under the National Development Plan 2000–2006. The total archaeological cost was administered 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 were tested during the primary testing phase. 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. During 2003 the remaining 3km of land became available and, where ground conditions proved suitable, further testing was carried out under an extension to the existing licence. During this phase of centre-line testing two sites of archaeological potential were identified.
Corrin 6, Chainage 12000, 181382 096126, fulacht fiadh
Testing here revealed the scattered remains of a fulacht spread that had a maximum depth of 0.6m. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. The site was subsequently resolved by Aidan O’Connell (No. 244, Excavations 2003, 03E1636).
Fermoy 4, Chainage 13600, 182217 097505, fulacht fiadh
Testing here revealed the remains of a fire-cracked sandstone spread which was interpreted as a fulacht fiadh. Other features are likely to occur between the offset trenches. The site was subsequently resolved by Tara O’Neill (No. 261, Excavations 2003, 03E1639).
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
