2017:377 - Ballynacubby, Kinsale, Cork

Testing of geophysical anomalies and manual investigation of a sample of ‘hits’ from a metal detection survey was undertaken on the site. The proposed development consists of the construction of private housing and associated site works at Ballynacubby, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

Twenty-two test trenches were excavated where geophysical anomalies were detected during a geophysical survey of the site (17R0147), also requested as further information. Of note throughout the site was the variation in the natural strata that occurred with a bright orange stoney natural at the north and a grey-yellow clay towards the centre and south. The depth of the trenches over much of the site was also noteworthy due mainly to the depth of subsoil that had accumulated on the site, perhaps reflective of intense garden/agricultural activity as depicted on the historic OS mapping. Numerous drains were encountered, on the lower waterlogged parts of the site, as well as numerous linear features (manually investigated) from which post-medieval pottery and crockery were recovered from the majority of fills.

None of the trenches produced archaeological features (apart from Trenches 15 and 19. No evidence of military archaeology was evident on the site, either in the form of cut features or artefactual material in either the topsoil, subsoil or fills of any linear features investigated. Furthermore, the type of metal recovered from the investigations is also further evidence of garden/agricultural practices with machinery fragments and plough socks and shares being recovered from the topsoil as well as many modern items.

Two burnt spreads were uncovered within Trenches 15 and 19 in the south-western corner of the site where it is proposed to construct houses. Excavation is required should the development proceed.

Tobar Archaeological Services, Saleen, Midleton, Co. Cork