2007:273 - KILLAREE, Cork

Part of the proposed development was within the constraint zone of CO002–097, the site of a ringfort. The development involved the construction of a house, with ancillary works and garage, and also involved the demolition of a derelict cottage. The scheme encompassed an area of 4000m2, of which the impacts of the footprint of the proposed building take in some 200m2.

Test excavation and assessment was conducted on 10 March 2007. Sixteen features of archaeological significance were exposed in the eight test-trenches excavated across the site.

The densest concentration of features was at the south-eastern area of the site, the area closest to the ringfort. Thirteen pits were exposed which were filled with charcoal and heat-affected sandstone; the largest measured 75mm by 1m. Two of the pits contained slag, which is indicative of metalworking.

Two possible post-holes were also exposed; the largest was 36mm in diameter. A spread of burnt-mound material at the south-eastern limit of excavation had dimensions of 5m by 8.25m.

A keyhole-shaped kiln, which measured 1.5m in length and was 35mm (minimum) and 90mm (maximum) in width, was also exposed to the south of the spread of burnt-mound material. The fills contained frequent charcoal inclusions and evidence of in situ burning around the edge of the feature.

Test excavation was also carried out on 10 March 2007 on a development across the road in Cloughnarea, c. 40m to the west of a ringfort. No finds or features of archaeological significance were exposed (see No. 236, Excavations 2007, 07E0234).