2007:AD16 - CARRIGANE (1), Cork

Phase 2 excavation works were undertaken, on behalf of Cork County Council, along the route of the N8 Fermoy–Mitchelstown bypass. 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, the results of which appeared in Excavations 2005.

Six linear features were investigated at Carrigane. Four were straight and they shared the same west-south-west to east-north-east alignment, while two others were not straight, both having a pronounced turn of c. 90° along their exposed lengths. Five modern field drains found at the site were clearly later than the linear features. The site covered an area of c. 1650m2.

Three possible stake-holes had charcoal-rich fills but, as there are signs of fairly modern scrub-burning and burnt roots in the field immediately to the west of Carrigane 1, it is possible that these ‘stake-holes’ are also possible root holes. Similarly a charcoal-rich dump deposit that filled a natural hollow was also interpreted as burning of scrub. Three possible pits were also found, some with irregular cuts. There were no finds from the pits and no obvious function for any of these features.

Two metalled areas were found. The first consisted of tightly packed pebbles and small stones in a matrix of grey/brown silt. It was extremely compact and lay directly on the natural subsoil. The second metalled area consisted of tightly packed pebbles and small stones in a matrix of pinkish-orange clayey silt. It was extremely hard and lay directly on the natural subsoil. No finds were recovered from either of the metalled areas.

It is likely that all of the features investigated at this site were post-medieval or modern in origin.