2007:293 - LACKANALOOHA, Cork

A test excavation was undertaken within the zone of archaeological potential for a ringfort (CO135–034) at Lackanalooha near Clonakilty. The development was for an extension to a modern dwelling house. The ringfort is located in the south-east corner of a field to the immediate west of the modern house. At the time of the test excavation, it was separated from the site by an insubstantial wire fence, although it was proposed to replace this with a combination of planting and post and wire fencing. The original test-trench layout was revised during the excavation, as it became apparent that most of the area around the existing dwelling house had been reduced to a depth of almost 1.5m into sterile ground. The placement of test-trenches in these areas would have necessitated the removal of the tarmacadam surface currently surrounding the dwelling and this was deemed unnecessary. The only area of the development that had not previously been disturbed was the proposed location for the percolation area at the south-west corner of the garden and a long test-trench was placed here to determine if any features of archaeological merit had survived. The trench measured 9m in length and was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.52m. The topsoil was essentially a very thin cover of lawn, which was overlying the natural subsoil, consisting of loose grey shale. Nothing of archaeological importance was uncovered during trenching in this area of the site.