2005:681 - CURRAGRAIGUE, Kerry

An impact assessment was undertaken in compliance with a request for further information by Kerry County Council in relation to a planning application to construct 52 housing units on a greenfield site comprising 3.994ha at Curragraigue, Blennerville, Tralee, Co. Kerry. A constituent part of the assessment involved test excavations. Fourteen test-trenches were opened by a mechanical digger using a 2m-wide flat ditching bucket and all subsequent work was undertaken by hand. Archaeological features were recorded in two cuttings, Trenches 3 and 10.
In Trench 3 a subrectangular area was opened up measuring 13m north–south by 11m. In all, 61 features were identified, comprising nine pits, seventeen post-holes and 35 stake-holes. All of the features showed charcoal on their surface and c. 50% of them also had heat-shattered stones. One pit-like feature uncovered was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.8m east–west by 0.9m. It was filled with a charcoal-enriched soil and heat-shattered stones.
Towards the eastern end of Trench 10 a possible pit-like feature was exposed. Subsequently the trench was widened to determine the extent of the deposit, and to determine whether any associated features were present. A subrectangular area was opened up measuring 7m north–south by 6m and was cleaned by hand. No other features were encountered. The pit was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.12m (north-east/south-west) by 0.83m. Inclusions of charcoal and heat-shattered stones were noted on the surface.
All the archaeological features were recorded and mapped with an EDM. Following submission to the DoEHLG, the test licence was subsequently amended to excavate the features. This has not been proceeded with to date, as the proposed development application is currently being appealed to An Bórd Pleanála.