2011:AD 2 - BALLYGRIFFIN, KILQUANE AND BRIDGETOWN UPPER, Cork

The N72 Carrig–Castletownroche Realignment Scheme, south-west of Castletownroche, seeks to provide necessary safety improvements to a section of exiting N72 road. The development will provide redesigned junction layouts and improved general alignment, including the removal of unsafe bends along the existing N72 road, over a distance of approximately 2.9km. The scheme begins at Ballygriffin, passing through Monanimy Cross Roads and terminating a further 1.6km east along the N72 at the interface between the townlands of Kilquane and Bridgetown Upper.

A cultural heritage assessment for the scheme identified impacts on eight levelled pre-1840 structures, identifiable on the 1st-edition OS six-inch mapping. In addition, several ‘greenfield’ areas of archaeological potential (totalling c. 2ha) will also be affected. These areas comprise long, narrow strips of largely overgrown land distributed in small pockets, north and south of the existing N72. No recorded monuments will be directly affected by the development.

Pre-development test-trenching was carried out in the townlands of Ballygriffin, Kilquane and Bridgetown Upper on behalf of Cork County Council between 29 June and 14 July 2011. A total of 48 test trenches were mechanically excavated under supervision, representing 1,847 linear metres. When taken with the larger areas stripped to investigate potential archaeological features, this gives a total investigated area of 4,193m², or 21% of the road-take area. Archaeological remains were uncovered at five locations, namely CHS1, CHS2, CHS6, CHS7 and CHS10. The most substantial remains were identified at CHS7, where three walls of the structure survive to varying degrees of completeness. By contrast, the remains at the other four sites are very ephemeral. The only remnant of CHS1 is the base course of its south-east corner, while CHS2 is marked only by the possible, partial remains of its foundation, though this is a tentative interpretation. Although no structural remains of CHS6 were found, a roadside boundary wall was discovered that probably represents its plot boundary. All that remains of CHS10 is a narrow area of possible paving adjacent to the road.

Three field boundary ditches were recorded where the trenching had cut a section through them. Two of these are upstanding boundaries and are extant beyond the road-take, whereas the third has been levelled but can be identified from historic mapping.

Other features encountered included drains, isolated possible pits of no archaeological significance and modern rubbish pits.