2015:572 - Ballynahulla, Barna, Reaboy, Knocknageeha, Lisheen, Reanasup, Kerry

A programme of test trenching was carried out in September/October 2015, across an area approximately 5km x 3km to the west of the River Blackwater, Co. Kerry, prior to planning permission being sought for a Wind Farm development. This saw 27 trenches and 8 test pits (1210m in total length) excavated across the proposed routes of cables/access-roads and turbine locations. Large portions of the scheme were still under commercial forestry and public roadways and could not be tested at this stage. Test trenches were located in the townlands of Ballynahulla, Barna, Reaboy, Knocknageeha, Lisheen and Reanasup. While there are recorded archaeological monuments in the general area, there were no previously recorded monuments within the extent of the proposed development site.
All trenches indicated peat at varies thicknesses, from 0.3m to over 3.7m. Ancient tree stumps and wood were frequently recorded at the base of the trenches but in no instance did they form archaeological sites such as trackways or platforms. No artefacts were recovered from any trench.
A single archaeological monument was discovered in the course of this assessment. This was a burnt spread mound, a likely fulacht fiadh, at the north-east end of a trench central to Ballynahulla townland (ITM 514468, 603508). Only a slight trace of this mound could be seen on the surface and it is estimated to be about 9m x 7m in extent. Only the north-east edge of the mound was exposed and this revealed that it was formed of black silt and burnt stone at least 1m in height. It is likely that there are further burnt mounds/fulachta fiadh in the vicinity.
Alternative routes for the layout of the proposed development have been identified and recommendations were made to the relevant authorities.

Munster Archaeology, Butlerstown, Bandon, Co. Cork