County: Kerry Site name: N22 GORTATLEA–INCHINVEEMA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E0105
Author: Jacinta Kiely, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 492890m, N 607369m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.207681, -9.567184
The National Roads Authority is undertaking a programme of works to upgrade the N22 between Cork and Tralee. Part of this work involves the realignment of c. 3.8km of the N22 between Gortatlea and Inchinveema townlands, Farranfore, Co. Kerry. The proposed route runs through portions of the townlands of Glanbane, Garraundarragh, Urrohogal and Inchinveema. An assessment was undertaken on behalf of Kerry County Council comprising four elements. Phase 1 consisted of the excavation of test-trenches at the site of a potential fulacht fiadh identified in the impact assessment undertaken by Kerry County Council in 2000 (this report). Phase 2 involved the excavation of test-trenches on the centre-line and offsets on the entire proposed realignment route (No. 756, Excavations 2004, 04E0104). Phase 3 consisted of an assessment of standing structures of architectural heritage. Phase four was an assessment of the river crossings by Julianna O'Donoghue (No. 758, Excavations 2004, 04R006 and 007 and 04D006).
Two trenches were excavated on the limits of the mound of the fulacht fiadh to assess the extent. The mound was well preserved, standing to a height of 0.87m, and measured 18.5m north-south by 15.6m. The material consists of small fragments of burnt and heat-shattered sandstone with much charcoal. Evidence of a possible trough was recorded in one of the trenches. Additional trenches were excavated in the remainder of the field as part of the centre-line and offset testing programme. The fulacht fiadh was subsequently excavated under licence 04E0647 (No. 751, Excavations 2004).
Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork
