2004:0758 - N22 GORTATLEA–INCHINVEEMA, Kerry

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 (No. 757, Excavations 2004, 04E0105). 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 (this report).

Brown Flesk River, 04R007
A length of c. 40m of the Brown Flesk was assessed in the townland of Inchinveema 600m upstream from its confluence with the Maine River. The river rises in the hills of Glanwaddra c. 17km to the east. There is a gentle flow at this point in the river course. The meanders are very pronounced, with the river wrapping itself almost entirely around the field to the east. The eastern bank forms part of a large pasture. It varies in height from 1m at the north to 1.6m at the south and has a 2m-wide graded access. An examination of the bank revealed no evidence of archaeological activity. The water level varies in depth from 0.6m to 2m, being shallowest on the eastern side. The riverbed comprised mainly gravel and small stones. Soft silts were recorded in the deeper areas. Approximately 30 negative hits were received on the metal detector. A visual sighting was obtained on all of these objects, which were generally of domestic refuse. A stone net sinker was recovered from the water close to the east bank.

Maine River 04R008 and 04D006
The River Maine forms the townland boundary between the townlands of Urrohogal to the north and Inchinveema to the south. It rises at Mount Eagle in the Mullaghareirk Mountain and issues into Castlemaine Habour c. 14km to the west of Marshall Bridge. The Maine is described as 'Maing, treacherous river' in the OS Name Books (1840, 61). 'This bridge is about two and a half chains long and 16 feet high with 3 arches and not of handsome construction; on the E battlement over the centre arch is a stone with the following inscription on it: A.D. 1809 Charles D. Oliver Philip O. Ellard Jeremiah Carroll Architects' (ibid.).

The bridge is marked on the first-edition (1841) OS map as Maine Bridge. It is a road bridge, with the long axis north-south over the Maine River. There are three wide segmental arches with cut limestone voussoirs. There are pointed limestone breakwaters on the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge. The eastern side of the bridge seems to have been extended by c. 1.5m. The plaque described in the OS Name Books is not visible. There is an overflow arch c. 10m south of the southernmost arch. It is 1m high by 2m wide. A stone 'oculus' is visible on the downstream side of the bridge between the central and southern arch. The area between the central and northern arch is covered with ivy. The underwater survey encompassed an area of 13m north-south by 48m. The steep northern bank is reinforced with boulders and limestone blocks. The water level was on average 1.1m and was deepest on the northern side. The riverbed consists of small and medium-sized stones, with a build-up of silt in places along the northern bank. Ten negative hits were received on the metal detector, all of which resulted from modern refuse.

Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork.