2008:590 - Ballyoughtragh North, Kerry

A test excavation was carried out at Ballyoughtragh North, Milltown, Co. Kerry, in advance of a third phase of construction at an ongoing housing development on the eastern outskirts of the town. The development is situated in a picturesque setting with commanding views to the east and south towards the Macgillicuddy Reeks and west to the Slieve Mish mountains. The third phase of the development was situated at the extreme northern end of the site adjacent to the public road leading to Killarney. A study of the aerial photographs from the Geological Survey of Ireland as part of the original assessment indicated the existence of four potential archaeological features, three of which were interpreted as modern trackways or levelled field boundaries. The other feature appeared to represent a subcircular enclosure. The impact assessment recommended that all topsoil-stripping should be monitored in order to investigate the potential archaeological features identified on the aerial photographs. Monitoring for the first building phase at the southern end of the development was undertaken in February 2006 and a number of drainage channels allowing water to drain into the nearby stream were exposed at a number of locations. The second phase of building commenced in October 2006 and all topsoil removal was carried out under supervision. Monitoring did not yield any archaeological features or finds and the potential features identified from the aerial photographs were not exposed on the surface.
A test excavation was recommended for the third phase of the housing development, which involved the construction of two mixed-use buildings, six townhouses and two semidetached retail units. In all, six test-trenches were opened and these were placed east–west and north–south across those areas of the site where maximum ground would occur.
In Trench 1 the topsoil at the western side of the development area proved to be quite disturbed due to intensive machine activity in this area of the site during the construction of the site compound and storage yard. It varied from 0.28m to 0.36m in depth and overlay firm orange/brown slightly stony clay. A modern drain was exposed at the western limit of the trench but no features or finds of archaeological importance were noted.
Trench 2 was placed north-east/south-west across a proposed block of three townhouses at the north-west corner of the development site and adjacent to the roadway providing access to the site compound. It measured 30m in length and was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.38m. The topsoil consisted of loose mid-brown sediment with occasional small stones. Its average depth was 0.35m, although in places it was considerably less than this. The underlying subsoil was made up of orange/light-brown firm stony clay. Nothing of archaeological importance was uncovered.
Trench 3 was placed at the northern end of the site across the short axis of a retail unit fronting on to the main street. It measured 21m in length and was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.39m. The soil profile did not vary from that observed in the previous two trenches. A relatively modern drain with an intact ceramic pipe was exposed in the central area of the trench and this was cut by a more recent trench containing a water hose. No archaeological features or finds were present.
Trench 4 was placed at a right angle to Trench 3 across the footprint of a block of retail units and an apartment complex. It was oriented north-west/south-east and extended from the edge of the site access road as far as the existing dwelling house. It measured 48m in length and was excavated to a maximum depth of 0.41m. The depth of the topsoil varied from 0.18m at the north-west end of the trench to 0.39m at the south-east end. A wide stone-filled drain was uncovered at the west side of the trench and the original ceramic pipe was exposed during the removal of the fill. Nothing of archaeological significance was encountered in this trench.
Trench 5 was placed to the east of the existing dwelling house in a greenfield area and across the north–south axis of Building A. It measured 49m in length and terminated at the southern end when it reached a storage area for the construction site. The soil profile did not vary from that observed in the three test-trenches excavated on the west side of the existing house and a drainage channel was exposed at the northern end of the trench. No archaeological features or finds were present.
Trench 6 was placed perpendicular to Trench 5 and extended from the existing dwelling house to a stand of mature evergreen trees forming the eastern limit to the site. The topsoil varied from 0.28m to 0.35m in depth and overlay firm orange/brown slightly stony clay. Two modern drains were exposed at either ends of the trench but no features or finds of archaeological importance were noted.