2003:2264 - N21 BALLYCARTY TO TRALEE, Kerry

Ten licences were granted to undertake test excavations on the N21 (J11) Ballycarty–Tralee Road Improvement Scheme, to obtain further information about potential sites that could be affected by the proposed road. The sites were identified by geophysical testing undertaken on behalf of Kerry County Council. The overall length of the N21 Ballycarty–Tralee Road Improvement Scheme is 2.9km.

The excavations took place in the townlands of Ballingowan, Ballycarty, Ballyseedy Caherbreagh, Curraghleha East and Manor East on the northern side of the existing N21. Test-trenches were excavated in ten locations specified by Kerry County Council. They were opened by machine using a flat bucket. The majority of the land in the fields that were tested is in pasture. The depth of topsoil varied from 0.3 to 0.9m. The subsoil was, for the most part, yellow clay. Limestone bedrock was recorded in many of the trenches.

AR01, 03E1614
Trenches were excavated in the townland of Ballingowan to assess the nature and extent of cultivation marks, a possible quarry, ditches and gullies identified in the geophysical survey. Two trenches totalling 40m2 were excavated. Limestone bedrock was recorded in both trenches.

AR02, 03E1615
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Ballingowan townland. Five trenches totalling 150m2 were excavated. The topsoil varied in depth from 0.3 to 0.9m. The underlying subsoil was a mix of yellow and white clay with limestone bedrock. Agricultural features, a stone-lined drain and furrows, were recorded in some of the trenches. The presence of large amounts of shattered limestone bedrock in all the trenches and a possible limestone sinkhole recorded in Trench 5 would explain the suggestion of a souterrain/lined pit.

AR03, 03E1616
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Ballingowan townland. The anomalies were interpreted as ditches, a system of tracks and areas of debris. Five trenches totalling 180m2 were excavated. The topsoil varied in depth from 0.3 to 0.5m. The underlying subsoil was a mix of yellow and white clay. Agricultural furrows were recorded in some of the trenches. A double ditch, V-shaped in plan, was recorded in Trench IV. It is a destroyed field boundary marked on the first-edition OS map, sheet 29.

AR04, 03E1617
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Caherbreagh townland. The anomalies were interpreted as magnetic debris, cultivation ridges, a potential mound and ditches. A possible circular enclosure was identified from a cropmark on an aerial photograph. Three trenches totalling 96m2 were excavated. The topsoil varied in depth from 0.3 to 0.5m. The underlying subsoil was a mix of yellow and white clay. Agricultural furrows were recorded in some of the trenches.

AR05, 03E1618
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Caherbreagh townland. The anomalies were interpreted as cultivation ridges, a ditch/gully and a potential wall. One trench totalling 40m2 was excavated. The topsoil was 0.2–0.6m in depth. The subsoil was a mix of yellow and white clay. Shattered black limestone was recorded in the trench.

AR06, 03E1619
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Curraghleha East townland. The anomalies were interpreted as magnetic debris bounded by a possible ditch. Three trenches totalling 100m2 were excavated. The topsoil varied in depth from 0.2 to 0.5m. The subsoil was yellow clay with shattered black limestone. Agricultural furrows were recorded in some of the trenches.

AR07, 03E1620
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of anomalies identified in the geophysical survey in Curraghleha East townland. The anomalies were interpreted as potential surface track and flanking ditches. Three trenches totalling 80m2 were excavated. The topsoil was 0.3–0.6m in depth. The subsoil was yellow clay. A number of agricultural drains were recorded in the trenches. A ditch, U-shaped in plan, measuring 1.8m in width by c. 1m in depth, was recorded in two of the trenches. It is a destroyed field boundary.

AR08, 03E1621
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of potential archaeological stratigraphy in Ballyseedy townland. The area was not included in the programme of geophysical testing. Three trenches totalling 60m2 were excavated. The topsoil was 0.3–0.7m in depth. The subsoil was yellow clay with black limestone.

AR09, 03E1622
A trench was excavated to assess the nature and extent of potential archaeological stratigraphy in Ballycarty townland. No geophysical testing was undertaken in this area. The land to the north of the river had been planted with rushes as part of a wastewater treatment scheme for the Earl of Desmond Hotel. It was not possible to excavate any trenches in this area. The land to the south of the river is used for rough or summer pasture. It is wet and supports a growth of rushes and irises. A trench was excavated on the southern side of the river totalling 220m2. The topsoil measured 0.3–0.5m in depth. A substantial depth of alluvium measuring 1m in depth underlay the topsoil. It has been deposited on the land by repeated flooding of the River Lee.

A raised pathway area to the south of the area of the test-trench is located within a copse of trees. A mill building is marked on the first-edition OS map, sheet 29, in this area.

AR10, 03E1623
Trenches were excavated to assess the nature and extent of potential archaeological stratigraphy in the townland of Manor East. No geophysical testing was done in this area. Nine trenches totalling 270m2 were excavated. The topsoil was 0.2–0.4m in depth. The subsoil was orange clay. Bedrock was recorded along the full length of Trenches V, VI and VII.

No archaeological stratigraphy, features or artefacts were recorded in any of the trenches.

3 Canal Place, Tralee