County: Cork Site name: RATHEALY (3)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO035-140---- Licence number: 03E1678
Author: Annette Quinn, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 581976m, N 598938m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.142002, -8.263323
The N8 Rathcormac–Fermoy Bypass is c. 17.5km in length and will extend from the northern end of the new N8 Glanmire–Watergrasshill Road in the townland of Meenane, passing to the west of Rathcormac and east of Fermoy and onto the existing N8 at Moorepark West. Testing was carried out by Donald Murphy, in advance of construction along the route of the proposed road, on behalf of Cork County Council in 2002 (Excavations 2002, No. 346, 02E0713–02E0720). During this phase of centre-line testing, a number of features of archaeological potential were identified at Rathealy. The site was subsequently designated Rathealy 3 and was excavated in October 2003.
Topsoil-stripping exposed two areas of archaeological potential, Trenches I and II. Trench I measured approximately 15m north–south by 23m. Seven cut features were exposed, two of which produced Bronze Age pottery, possibly of a Middle Bronze Age date. Cut features included shallow pits and a truncated linear feature, possibly the base of a drain. The shallow pits appeared to represent areas for dumping material, rather than forming any structural arrangement.
Trench II measured approximately 13m north–south by 22m, exposing approximately 60 features, including shallow pits, stake-holes, post-holes, large pits with evidence of burning and charcoal spreads. A large pit, containing numerous (44) flint and chert artefacts, was located along the northern baulk on the western side of Trench II. The remainder of the features was concentrated centrally along the southern side of the trench and consisted of possible post-holes/pits, stake-holes, a number of linear features and two shallow charcoal spreads. A large pit cut through the irregular arrangement of post-holes and pits. The nature of the finds would suggest a possible settlement site, although the post-holes and pits were randomly positioned and did not appear to form any structure. Charcoal samples were retrieved and will be used to obtain a date for the site.
This work was funded in full by the National Development Plan 2000–2006 and was awarded by the National Roads Authority.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
