2007:279 - KILSHANNY (1), Cork

Phase 2 excavation works were undertaken along the route of the N8 Fermoy–Mitchelstown bypass on behalf of Cork County Council. The proposed bypass involves the construction of c. 16km of dual carriageway extending from Gortore, north of Fermoy, to Carrigane, north-east of Mitchelstown. A programme of advance testing (Phase 1) had been carried out in October 2005 (Excavations 2005).

Kilshanny 1 was located on a large plain east of Mitchelstown. The site was split into six areas, Areas A–F, covering a distance of 440m north to south.

Area A
This area revealed three furrows, a field boundary and three pits. The three sets of furrows were orientated north-west to south-east, extending for a distance of c. 17m, where they were truncated by a field boundary. The field boundary was north-east to south-west-aligned and was 25m long. A piece of post-medieval pottery was recovered from the fill of this boundary ditch. The three pits were found to the west of these furrows and to the north of the field boundary. Two of the pits contained charcoal within their fills and one of the pits contained burnt stone. Animal bone was recovered from the fill of one of the pits.

Area B
This area revealed an extensive field system. Four furrows, five field boundaries, fifteen pits and ten natural features were found. Three of the four furrows were orientated north–south, while one furrow was orientated east–west. This indicates two phases of agricultural activity. Two of the five field boundaries were orientated north–south, while the remaining three were orientated east–west. An iron nail was recovered from the fill of an east–west-running boundary ditch. A total of fifteen pits were spread randomly across the area of excavation. Of these pits, three contained charcoal, with one possibly containing in situ burning. Post-medieval finds including glass, clay pipe and pottery were recovered from the fills of five pits. Ten natural features were scattered across the area.

Area C
One field boundary was observed in this area. It was orientated north-east to south-west and measured 11.4m long, 1.3m wide and 0.45m deep. A shard of post-medieval glass was recovered from the fill of this boundary ditch.

Area D
No archaeological features were discovered within Area D.

Area E
This area revealed two field boundaries, four pits and a post-hole. The two field boundaries were parallel to one another and aligned north-west to south-east. A probable redeposited flint was recovered from the fill of one of these boundaries. Two of the four pits were truncated by one of the field boundaries. The other two pits lay to the north of the field boundaries and a sherd of post-medieval pottery was recovered from the fill of one of them. A single post-hole was truncated by one of these pits and was therefore also earlier in date.

Area F
A Bronze Age circular house, measuring c. 10m in diameter, was discovered at the north end of Area F. It was defined by a shallow trench, c. 0.14m deep, with an entrance gap, 1.8m wide, to the east. Six post-holes were identified in close proximity to the circular trench, four on the exterior of the house and two on the interior. Four internal pits and seven internal post-holes were excavated. This included a possible central post (later recut) as the main structural support for the house. A group of pits lay to the north and west of the circular house, possibly relating to its use. The expected date of this house is Bronze Age.

A possible small rectangular structure lay to the east of the circular house, c. 4m from the entrance. It measured 1.5m north-east to south-west by 3.5m and was defined by four post-holes. It was probably associated with the occupation of the circular house. Several pits surround this possible structure.

A group of pits with connecting gullies was identified to the north and south of the circular house. Both groups were linear in nature and were east–west-aligned. Twelve pits lay to the south of the circular house. A large amount of burnt material including charcoal, ash and burnt stone was present within the fills of these pits. Four post-holes associated with this line of pits possibly represent structural remains. Three large pits with a connecting gully lay to the north of the circular house. Multiple fills were noted within the cuts of these pits. One of the three pits was deep enough to hold standing water. Three possible post-holes to the west of these features suggest further structural remains. These features may be evidence of industrial activity or an enclosing element associated with the house.

A possible structure lay to the south-west of the circular house. This was represented by a shallow linear gully containing two post-holes as well as two post-holes just to the south of the linear gully. A single pit lay to the north of the gully.