County: Cork Site name: BEALICK
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO071-014 Licence number: 05E0769
Author: Gerry Mullins, Irish Archaeological Consultancy
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 535023m, N 573082m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.906099, -8.944316
Testing was carried out to confirm whether the area located between Chainages 19124 and 19410 of the proposed N22 Ballyvourney–Coolcour bypass has archaeological potential. There is a recorded tradition that two standing stones were erected c. 40m to the south-west of the test area at Bealick, Macroom (Bealach Leachta), to commemorate a battle in AD 978 between Brian Boru and Moalmhuadh, Chief of the O’Mahoneys and King of Carbery. The majority of the test area is located within the constraint for this monument. Whilst the proposed N22 route is still at the EIS stage, it was decided to assess the archaeological potential of this area in order to inform the design process and to provide a large amount of time for suitable mitigation in the event of archaeological material being discovered.
There was nothing of archaeological significance identified during the course of test-trenching of 647.7 linear metres within the land take of the proposed route on 11–12 July 2005. No archaeologically significant stray finds were recovered from within the area. Only very occasional sherds of modern pottery were noted within the topsoil, which was deep and archaeologically sterile. Mechanical excavations were thoroughly monitored and nothing of archaeological significance was noted.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
