2006:203 - RATHCROGUE, Carlow

The site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. A castle (site) (CW007–051) was identified c. 0.5km south-east of the site. No visible trace of the castle remains on the surface. This site should be viewed in conjunction with sites E2595, E2596, E2597 and E2598 (see Nos 192–195, Excavations 2006), as they may represent distinct elements and activities of the same site. Excavation revealed a total of six charcoal-production pits of varying shapes. Many had associated features, including further pits, post-holes and stake-holes.

The largest charcoal-production pit was rectangular in shape, measured 3.2m by 1.9m and was 0.17–0.23m deep. The primary fill was black silt clay with frequent charcoal inclusions. Overlying this was a deposit of compact light yellow silt clay; this appeared to seal the burning phase. A single circular post-hole truncated the pit; this may have assisted the wood-stacking process associated with charcoal production. It was filled with grey/brown compact silt clay, with inclusions of large stones and charcoal. This deposit also formed the upper fill of the pit. Ten metres north-west, an arch of four post-holes and one stake-hole was identified, which may have formed part of a screen to protect the charcoal-production pit from the westerly winds. A smaller circular pit, located north-west of the larger pit, had a series of six stake-holes arching from the north to the south-east. Several pits located outside of the two screens contained grey sandy clay and may have held water; if the clamp fired up, it could be tamed with quenching.

A burnt spread measuring 0.65m by 0.57m was located c. 17.5m from the arc of post-holes. This was a thin compact layer comprising black/grey silt clay with charcoal flecking throughout. A small fragment of flint debitage was found in the burnt material, the only find recovered from the site.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork