2012:542 - Barnalisheen/Derryville/Killora/Cooleeny/Derryfadda, Tipperary

Ground works associated with the construction of an extension to an existing windfarm at Lisheen were monitored. The project entailed building a twelve turbine windfarm extension within the vicinity of Lisheen Mine Complex, Moyne. The windfarm extension was built across two separate parcels of land – a southern and northern portion. The southern portion comprised two distinct geographical components: Turbines 27, 30 and 32 were sited within a low-lying area of improved farmland whilst the other turbines (Turbines 28, 29, 31 and 33) were located on an upland plateau, also utilised for mixed farm production.
In recent times it was evident that a lot of the lower landscape has been substantially altered, implemented by the removal of a number of field boundaries and a systematic drainage programme, which included a deep ploughed parallel double ditches cut across the ground surface. A number of these were revealed through monitoring of the groundworks and proved to be of modern provenance. This was the case regarding the potential archaeological linear feature identified through pre-construction testing and a geo-physical survey undertaken on the base of Turbine 30, also manifest on the spur road to Turbine 32 and recorded as ditch-like feature. It should also be noted that this ditch also truncated a much earlier feature.
Regarding the higher ground, this consisted of two distinct periods of agricultural colonisation. There was still a large imprint on the land pertaining to the 19th century, with sturdy dry stone field boundaries enclosing well-laid rectangular fields. Dotted within this landscape were ruined cottages within their enclaves of overgrown garden and small outbuildings. However, modern ‘improvements’ have seen the hedgerows removed, entrances and bohreens destroyed and the ruined cottages robbed for in-filling wet spots.
A curvilinear feature was revealed which was totally truncated on its eastern side by a modern double ditch. Even so, it was possible to project its original diameter to approximately 22m. Even though this feature was on slightly raised ground, considering its location and dimensions recorded, it was deemed this feature was more likely to have been a small enclosure rather than a ringfort. A burnt pit was found nearby and also another pit which contained a petrified vertebra. These pits were outside the enclosure and would have originally been away from any animals contained within. If it was a ringfort, any fire pit/hearth would surely have been inside the safety of the enclosing bank.
Other linear features were uncovered which were considered to be part of the modern land improvements and removed field boundaries.
Located to the east of a stream, a potential stone feature was uncovered. On initial discovery within the road take, this feature had all the attributes of a stone trackway. This initial interpretation was formed on the visible alignment and formation of the stones. However, during investigation of the feature, it became apparent that it was not a trackway as, once the excavated area for the new internal access road was widened to facilitate excavation, there was no sign of any further large stones. It is therefore considered this feature was of natural provenance and probably part of a lake bed encompassing a large part of this low-lying area.
Located on the hardstand for Turbine 28 was a large group of features. These consisted a kiln, robbed-out walls and associated degraded ground surfaces. This group had all the attributes of a 19th-century kiln. The flue was not discovered, but it probably was located under the eastern baulk of the hardstand.
On the base of Turbine 33 a single curvilinear feature was discovered. This feature was in total isolation in both physical proximity and date to any other features within the vicinity. Due to its dimensions and alignment this feature was interpreted as a field boundary, probably pertaining to a field system earlier than the 19th century. All agricultural furrows visible in this area were of relatively modern provenance, as was the ruined farm complex to the north-east.
Regarding the northern portion of the windfarm, this part was set within two distinct landscapes, with Turbines 24-26 set within plantation, formerly bog, and Turbine 22 and 23 within farmland.
A possible hearth was revealed within the ducting trench near Ch. 100m. This feature lay deep within the peat and may be associated with some possible worked plank also found within this area. These features are considered to be prehistoric, although to which sub-period remains unknown. However, these features were in such close proximity to the natural clay to warrant consideration of having a very early provenance. No other features were identified within the plantation area.
Around the Ch. 1750 mark, three post-holes were identified. No other feature was within close proximity to them and their function remained unknown.
Two linear features were considered to be earlier field boundaries, although probably not of similar genesis, even though one is slightly curvilinear. This is based on both form and location.
The two features recorded on the hardstand for Turbine 23 were both similar in form, sub-circular in plan and of roughly the same dimensions, as well as appearing to have a similar function. As with a lot of the other features identified during the monitoring of this project, they appeared to be in isolation of any other features. Although there was evidence of burning within their fills, nothing dateable was retrieved.
One of the main noticeable trends throughout the monitoring of this scheme was the total lack of ceramic evidence to attribute to any period. Normally, it would be expected that moderate quantities of scattered Victorian pottery sherds would be present across the agricultural landscape, but in this case, this proved negative. Some sherds were gleaned from near the ruined farm complex in the vicinity of Turbine 33, apart from which they were very scarce. One possible explanation for this is that the majority of the low-lying lands were, until recently, either under water or bog. It was evident that a systematic ground improvement scheme has been underway in very recent times.
During the monitoring of the connecting ducting trench from south to north a number of ploughed-out field boundaries were identified, as was evidenced for agricultural practices in the form of furrows. All the agricultural furrows were of modern provenance with no evidence revealing any ploughing activity pre mid-19th century.
However, one major feature was revealed. It was located near the junction of the existing main east-west aligned windfarm/plantation road and the north-south public road. Set on a slightly elevated plateau, it overlooks a stream to its south, whilst the surrounding land to the west, south-west and east is much wetter, and possibly, in earlier times, marshy. Initial interpretation pointed to a ringfort, mainly based on other monument types within the area. Aligned north-south, it consisted a substantial ditch enclosing a raised platform constructed with re-deposited natural clay, with possibly a further circular raised area at its southern extent. The raised circular area was visible when viewed from the west.
In summary, a number of features were identified during the monitoring of the extension to Lisheen Windfarm. Some were preserved by record and others preserved in situ. They ranged in date from the prehistoric period to the 19th century, although very little – if any – corroborative evidence in the form of artefacts was retrieved. Nearly all these features were found in isolation suggesting sporadic habitation and/or settlement within this area.

Mary Henry Archaeological Services Ltd, 17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.