2005:180 - BALLYNACARRIGA, Cork

Testing was undertaken on behalf of Cork County Council on the route of the N8 Fermoy–Mitchelstown bypass, which involves the construction of 16km of the N8 from Gortore, north of Fermoy, to Carrigane, north-east of Mitchelstown. The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test for any previously unknown sites by a programme of centre-line and offset testing and to test sites of archaeological potential identified in the EIS and through geophysical surveying.

Two mounds with archaeological potential (CHS 6) were identified in the EIS report in the townland of Ballynacarriga. A dense concentration of archaeological features was noted in this area, both within the area circled on the EIS maps as CHS 6, and extending from it to the north, south and west, over a 180m stretch. All the features recorded in the area will therefore be treated as one site, CHS 6.

Six archaeological features were recorded in Field 10A. All were pits, averaging 0.8m in diameter, with charcoal-rich fills. The pits were concentrated towards the north end of the field in an area extending over c. 40m north–south. Fourteen archaeological features were recorded in Field 11. These included eleven pits, two post-holes, one possible prehistoric drain and the foundations of a prehistoric circular house. The pits were, on average, 0.7m in diameter with moderate inclusions of charcoal flecks in their fills. The slot-trench of the prehistoric house spanned the boundary between Field 10A and 11. The house had an internal diameter of c. 3.5m and an overall diameter of c. 6m. A central hearth is clearly visible inside the house. A sherd of prehistoric pottery was recovered from one of the pits.

Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork