2014:221 - Ballyhorgan South, Kerry

Testing of a proposed wind farm at Ballyhorgan South, Listowel, Co. Kerry was carried out on foot of a further information request from Kerry County Council. Fifty-one test trenches were excavated on the site in areas where most ground disturbance is likely to take place as part of the development i.e. turbine bases, hardstands, proposed new access roads, borrow pit, substation site and temporary site compound. No archaeological finds, features or deposits were uncovered in any of the trenches apart from Trench 26 at the proposed borrow pit where a possible ditch of unknown date was exposed. The ditch fill appeared to be comprised of a rich mid-brown sandy silt with occasional stones and occasional patches of oxidised clay. It measured c. 4.3m in width (north-south) and extended across the width of the trench for a length of c. 2m. Oxidisation was apparent at its northern edge where it abutted what may be the remains of a narrow, levelled bank. The latter was comprised of beige, possibly redeposited natural with some stones. It measured c. 2m in width (north-south) and was exposed for a length of c. 2m across the width of the test trench. No finds were noted on the upper surface of this feature. The function and date of these features are unknown. An examination of the 1st, 2nd and subsequent editions of the 6 inch Ordnance Survey (OS) maps for this area shows a series of field boundaries which were removed some time in the late 19th or early 20th century. The coordinates recorded for this ditch do not accord precisely with the boundaries shown on the 1st edition OS map, however, it may still represent the remains of a relict field boundary.

Tobar Archaeological Services, Saleen, Midleton, Co. Cork