2012:097 - BEALICK/CODRUM/ FARRANAGARRIGANE/GURTEENROE/KILNAGURTEEN/LACKADUFF/MAGHEREEN/SLEAVEEN EAST AND MACROOM TOWN, Cork

Monitoring of groundworks associated with a distribution network of gas pipeline was carried out on behalf of Bord Gais Éireann, from July – Nov 2012. A desktop study had recommended that all trench excavation within the Zones of Archaeological Constraints for RMPs within Macroom town be monitored. Initially this involved the zones of constraints of three RMPs however the route was subsequently altered, resulting in a total of 16 zones of constraint to be monitored.
The ground works consisted of the mechanical excavation of a trench, with maximum dimensions of 0.8m wide and 1m deep. Directional drilling was also used along the pipeline within the vicinity of CO071-081, CO071-082, CO070-47001 and CO070-47002. Where this occurred within the zones of constraint, the access pits for the drilling were monitored.
25 archaeological features or deposits were identified over the duration of the pipe trenching within the zones of archaeological constraint of CO071-048, CO071-049 and CO071-052.
At CO071-048, a set of capstones representing the original structure relating to a footbridge that spanned the millstream associated with a corn mill, CO070-047001, was uncovered. This structure was identified beneath the concrete surface of a modern footbridge located between the southern extents of Massytown Road and Barrack Lane. It consisted of tightly packed large sub-rectangular and sub-rounded stones within dark grey firmly compacted sandy clay. The stones measured 0.47m by 0.1m by 0.12m (maximum size) to 0.54m by 0.3m by 0.2m (minimum size). The western and eastern extents of the feature showed evidence of modern disturbance.
A north-east/south-west-orientated burnt spread was recorded within the north-east/south-west trench adjacent to the holy well CO071-052, on the Inchigeelagh Road R584. It measured 6.5m in length and 0.06m to 0.09m in thickness by 0.65m in width and consisted of frequent rounded heat-affected stones that ranged in size from 0.17m by 0.06m by 0.08m to 0.04m by 0.04m by 0.04m with moderate charcoal inclusions. This burnt spread lay 0.55m below the road surface and was sealed with a deposit of light brown friable clay up to 0.12m thick.
A number of archaeological features were identified within the zone of constraint of C0071-049. This area consisted of the steep slope of Sleaveen Road, South and West Square, Castle Street and the castle demesne all within the townland of Lackaduff. The features consisted of post-medieval cobbled surfaces, two possible wall footings, a north-south orientated ditch, a possible corn-drying kiln and various culverts of both dry stone and mortared construction.
Three cobbled surfaces were noted on the steep hill of Sleaveen Road with a fourth surface recorded at the corner of Sleaveen Road and South Square. A north–south-orientated wall footing lay to the immediate west of one of the areas of cobbling. As exposed, it measured just over 2m by 0.36m by 0.39m high. The upper surface of the wall footing was uncovered 0.7m below present ground level. The wall consisted of rounded limestone and angular roughly hewn shale with the larger rounded limestone elements found below the angular shale. These measured 0.58m by 0.29m by 0.2m (limestone) and 0.1m by 0.1m by 0.04m (shale). The wall was found below modern overburden. The northern extent had been removed by previous excavation and while it may originally have butted against the cobbles, this relationship had been removed with the insertion of a plastic pipe.
In South Square a possible corn-drying kiln cut was recorded in section. It was cut at its eastern extent by a post-medieval north-south orientated ditch [012]. The upper fill of the kiln was firm (pinkish) greyish brown sandy clay with inclusions of moderately occurring small angular stones measuring 10mm by 5mm by 5mm and a small quantity of heat-affected stone that varied in size from 0.1m by 0.05m by 0.04m to 0.02m by 0.02m by 0.02m. As uncovered, this fill measured 2.2m in length (east-west), 0.5m in width and 0.3m to 0.1m in thickness. The basal fill was firm brownish black charcoal (mixed with a small quantity of clayey silt) material with no inclusions. With an east-west orientation this deposit measured approximately 2.2m in length (east-west), 0.01m to 0.06m in thickness and 0.45m to 0.55m in width. As this feature extended into both northern and southern baulks, it means that more than a residual quantity of this and its associated contexts survive in situ. The natural subsoil immediately underlying the basal fill had turned red as a result of intense heat associated with the kiln.
A north–south-running ditch truncated the possible corn-drying kiln along its eastern edge. It was filled with greyish brown clayey sand of firm to friable compaction with moderate stone inclusions ranging from 0.05m by 0.03m by 0.03m to 0.07m by 0.07m by 0.04m. Also noted was a lens containing occasional lime mortar and charcoal. It measured 1.05m in width (east-west), 0.45m to 0.5m in length with a thickness of 0.76m at the formation level of the trench. A wig curler was found within the charcoal-rich base of this fill which would indicate a 17th-18th-century date for the ditch. As exposed, the ditch measured 0.45m to 0.5m in length (north-south), 1.05m by 0.76m in width (minimum) as it continued beyond the formation depth of the trench. It had sharply cut sides, a concave profile on the east side with a vertical side on the west that began to taper towards a base that was not exposed.
Within the castle demesne a wall footing or drain was recorded in plan at the formation level of the pipe-trench, at 0.92m below the tarmac surface. This east-west orientated structure measured 0.8m in length (continuing beyond the opposing sides of the trench) and 0.14m in width (north-south). It consisted of sub-angular stones that ranged in size from 0.14m by 0.1 to 0.04m by 0.04m and were bonded with creamy lime mortar. The wall/drain lay beneath dark brown clayey sand of friable compaction.

Enda Lydon and Cia McConway, Archaeological Development Services, 96 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HE