2016:642 - CROSSHAVEN: Camden Fort Meagher, Cork

Monitoring of the excavation of trenches for underground ESB ducting, and investigative works to the earthen roof of a casemated barracks building (Block F), in Camden Fort Meagher, was carried out in March 2016 by Maria Turk of BlueBrick Heritage. Archaeological monitoring was a condition of Ministerial Consent ref C366 and has been ongoing in a series of short phases since 2012.

Trenches for ducting were excavated to the rear and south of Block D (former house, present site office). A possible wall, 0.7m wide running north-south was identified in the very base of the trench to the south-west of Block D next to an existing manhole, the flat bucket just skimmed over the top of the topmost stones. Hand trowel investigation revealed that the feature was at least 0.15m deep. It is probably associated with retaining walls built to help raise and level the ground in this area. The feature was left in situ. The trenching continued to the north of Block D east of Block H where a line of stones (interpreted as a possible culvert running roughly north-south) was seen in the base of trench in line with the south-west corner of Block L – this presented as just a few stones in the base of the trench. It was left in situ.  No other features of archaeological interest were noted as the works continued along the bank by the parade ground and down to the ‘bright tunnel’.

Four engineering test pits were excavated in the roof of Block F, the casemated barracks near the entrance to the fort. Features associated with the archaeological site (fort) and protected structure were exposed, including the granite base to a gun position and rubble and bitumen layers covering the red brick barrel vaulted roof of the building. These features were located as expected and were left in situ, and no new archaeological features were discovered.  Further works may be necessary to correct problems with drainage in the roof of this building.

Finds from the site included 17 glass fragments (all 19th century), two machine fragments (unidentified machine) and one large piece of ceramic, probably an architectural fragment.