2009:145 - FERMOY, Cork

Some groundworks were monitored as part of the Fermoy North flood alleviation scheme, Fermoy, Co.
Cork. Groundworks included topsoil-stripping of large trench-like areas to accommodate the construction of flood protection walls and embankments close to the north bank of the River Blackwater. Trenching was undertaken along some streets/roadway to facilitate the laying of storm pipes.
Monitoring was confined in the main to three locations: the grounds of Fermoy House to the west of Fermoy Bridge (Trenches 1–5); on the floodplains to the east of the bridge (Trenches 6–9, 11 and 12); and the roadway to the north of the bridge, between the south end of St James’ Place and the north corner of Francis’ Street (Trench 10). All of the trenches, with the exception of Trench 10, were in greenfield areas.
In Trenches 1 to 5 a total of ten features were found. The first feature identified comprised an east–west curvilinear wall. The curved nature of the wall and its position suggest that it may have been a precursor to the concrete wall presently being installed in exactly the same location. A second interpretation is that it was a feature in an ornamental garden associated with Fermoy House.
There was an east–west-aligned linear feature within Trench 2. Due to the properties and the compaction of the fill, in conjunction with its direction, it is considered it may be the remains of an earlier cart track which accessed Fermoy House from the entrance to the east. A large area towards the central part of the track was not revealed and may still be present below the base of excavation. It was noticeable at this point that the primary subsoil was deeper, possibly overlying a natural hollow.
Two features revealed in Trench 2 were considered to be modern stone-filled drains and were representative of a series of similar features which criss-crossed the site.
A fourth feature in Trench 2 was more enigmatic. Although it does not appear to be the collapse of a structure, it may possibly be the foundation of one; it is similar in plan to a kiln. Due to the lack of depth of the excavated trench and without the presence of a section, it was not possible to further investigate this feature. It was preserved in situ.
Another feature in Trench 2 comprised three distinct elements: a stone cluster to the west and two areas of charcoal-rich material. No function was established and it was preserved in situ.
Another feature in Trench 2 was interpreted as a demolition pit pertaining to the earlier Fermoy House and it was also preserved in situ.
The seventh feature in Trench 2 comprised a subrectangular charcoal-rich spread, which may be the top layer of a pit, the provenance for which is unknown. This feature was preserved in situ.
The final feature in Trench 2 consisted a cobbled surface. It was considered the cobbles were sourced from the banks of the nearby Blackwater River. They were set within the orange/brown subsoil, which can be seen as a hardened matrix around the stones. This feature is considered of post-medieval date and was preserved in situ.
A feature located in Trench 5 comprised a mixture of bricks, rocks and mortar. It is possible the bricks and mortar were previously part of a structure but were considered to have being utilised as a soakaway/drain and were of relatively modern date.
Only the top of the feature located in Trench 6 was revealed and was represented as a vague outline at the base of excavation. The thickness of the foundations suggested a building(s) of considerable size, with internal subdivisional walls. It is considered these may be associated with a row of cottages portrayed on the 1842 first-edition OS map. It is also possible they are part of a workhouse that was known to have being within this area, the exact location of which has been lost (local information). All of these remains have been preserved in situ.
A feature located in Trench 4 appeared to comprise two phases of road construction comprising stone infill with redeposited subsoil between each phase. It is considered this road extended from the main entrance of Fermoy House to the dwelling.
In Trench 7 there was evidence for a row of buildings the exact function of which remains unknown. However, it is considered they are associated with the stable complex adjacent to the west and were either workshops or workers’ cottages associated with Cotter-Jones Estate.
The final feature extended along the roadway approaching the north side of Fermoy Bridge. It comprised a section of a rough cobbled surface, 0.12m thick. It was 1.3m below the present road surface and directly overlaid the natural deposition. This feature was sealed by a thick layer of colluvium and may be the remains of the earliest road surface c. 1718, which is visible in the east section of Fermoy Bridge extending north.