2016:673 - Crocane, Cloyne, Cork

An archaeological impact assessment report was prepared by Annette Quinn of Tobar Archaeological Services for a proposed solar farm at Crocane Townland, Cloyne, Co. Cork. The impact assessment comprised a desktop study, site inspection, geophysical survey and targeted archaeological testing. The latter was undertaken on foot of a Further Information request from Cork County Council. The site is located approximately 3km south-east of Cloyne and 7km south of Midleton. The topography of the site generally slopes from southeast, to the northwest. The land is used for both tillage and pasture. The site also comprises an existing 2 turbine wind farm with an existing network of roads, underground cables and a substation building (control building).

A geophysical survey (Detection Licence No. 16R0162) of the proposed solar farm site was undertaken by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics on foot of the further information request by Cork County Council. The geophysical survey showed a number of anomalies (A–E) present within the site. These were mainly circular features as well as a number of curvilinear and linear boundary-type features.

Targeted archaeological testing was subsequently undertaken to investigate the potential archaeological nature of the anomalies. The testing has concluded that the anomalies highlighted in the survey may be as a result of intensive agricultural activity or indeed the notable variation in the natural subsoil which was apparent in the trenches. The background natural was such that archaeological features would be easily identified if present. No archaeological features were exposed in any of the trenches excavated.