County: Cork Site name: Ringaskiddy
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 16E0103
Author: Tony Cummins
Site type: Pit features
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 578672m, N 563924m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.827148, -8.309417
Test trenching was undertaken in a green-field site in tillage farmland to the south-east of Ringaskiddy village. Cork County Council are considering using the subject site to source soil for proposed land rehabilitation works at the nearby Hawbowline Island. There are no recorded archaeological sites within the property but a Martello Tower (CO087-053----) is located within the adjacent landholding. A geophysical survey of the lands was undertaken by J.M. Leigh Geophysical Surveys in advance of testing (Licence 15R0146).This identified widespread ploughing, land drains and levelled field boundaries within the site although a number of isolated features of archaeological potential were also noted.
The test trenching layout formed a combination of linear trenching throughout the site with individual trenches focused on isolated anomalies. A metal-detecting survey was also undertaken during testing to assist in artefact retrieval (Licence 16R0029). Two clusters of potential pits and post/stake-hole features were identified in trenches in the east and west ends of the site. These were manually cleaned, recorded and then left to remain in situ. There were no artefacts identified during cleaning of the features or during inspections of the spread upcast plough soil in either area. Further archaeological investigations were recommended in these areas in the event that the proposed scheme progresses.
John Cronin & Associates, West Point Trade Centre, Ballincollig, Cork
