County: Cork Site name: Carrignagroghera
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO035–107 Licence number: 07E0598
Author: Mary Henry, Mary Henry Archaeological Services Ltd.
Site type: Enigmatic feature
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 580983m, N 598648m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.139362, -8.277814
A programme of test-trenches was undertaken as part of advance works for the Fermoy North alleviation scheme. It was not possible to carry out the entire programme due to access problems, with only five test-trenches being opened. All of the trenches were sited close to the north bank of the River Blackwater and west of Fermoy Bridge, within the grounds of Fermoy House. Stratigraphy above the upper natural deposit was deep, ranging between 0.9m and 1.45m below current ground level. It was also apparent the trench bases were uneven. The two deposited subsoils were very silt-rich and must be associated with regular and seasonal flooding over a considerable number of years. This flooding would also have scoured the exposed natural ground surface prior to deposition of the silts, thus accounting for the unevenness of the natural revealed during testing.
Two features were discovered during testing. One of the features proved to be a pebble-filled field drain. However, the other one was far more enigmatic and could be of archaeological provenance. Equally, it cannot be discounted that this feature could be associated with Fermoy House Demesne, which would have had extensive ornamental and functional gardens, as well as possible hothouses and ancillary outbuildings. This feature was cut from within the lower silt deposit and extended 0.1m into the natural. Considering the profile of this feature, i.e. gentle sloping sides and a flat base, it is considered not to be a drain; the lack of drainage material within the cut also supports this view.
17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
