2017:397 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Scheme (Lot 1) - An Cheapach Thiar, An Cheapach Thoir, An Sliabh Riabhach, Baile Mhic Íre, Cúil na Cathrach, Doire na Sagart, Tonn Láin, Co. Cork, Cork

Test excavations were carried out on behalf of Cork County Council on Lot 1, being the western (roughly) third of the scheme. The works were undertaken as part of Stages (i) of the archaeological services contract prior to the commencement of construction of the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Scheme, Co. Cork. Lots 2 and 3 of the scheme will be completed and reported on separately, under separate contracts.

The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, following consultation with the National Museum of Ireland, issued Directions to Cork County Council for test excavation works relating to the road development (A074). The registration number, E004865, was allocated by the National Monument Service for test excavation of Lot 1 of the proposed route, under the direction of Patricia Long of Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd assisted by directors James Hession, Stuart Elder and John O’Connor.

An Environmental Impact Study was carried out on the preferred route, including a chapter on cultural heritage (IAC 2009). A number of archaeological and architectural heritage constraints were identified along the route of the road and a number of recommendations were set out for the treatment of the sites and potential sites identified. In line with the recommendations of the EIS this report presents the results of standard and wetland test excavations. Separate reports will be prepared for townland boundary and architectural heritage survey, metal detecting survey and underwater surveys which were also included in the Archaeological Consultancy Services contract. Geophysical survey had been carried out on the route prior to the commencement of the test trenching (Bonsall et al. 2017, Shanahan and Gleeson 2017).

Due to ecological constraints, the Lot 1 Stage (i) trenching was divided into Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 test trenching along the route was carried out between 22 May and 19 June 2017 while Phase 2 was carried out between 29 January and 28 February 2018. Phase 2 testing also included testing the corridor of a 110 KV powerline that runs within the roadtake at the western end. The route was divided into five areas (Area 1–5) and test trenches totalling approximately 12.02% of the lands made available in Phase 1 and 6.75% of the land in Phase 2 were excavated, which was 10.5% of the total lands made available.

During standard and wetland Stage (i) test trenching in Phase 1 a total of 16 areas of archaeological potential were identified. One of these was related to CO058-045, where the presence of a ditch and bank relating to a partly levelled ringfort were confirmed. The others were previously unknown, except for one which was noted as a possible burnt mound in the EIS (SAP1). During Phase 2 a further five areas of potential were identified; four of these were previously unknown sites. The remaining site represents additional archaeology at Cappagh East 2 within a stream exclusion zone which was trenched during Phase 2.

A total of 20 archaeological sites have been identified during test excavation in advance of the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Scheme in Lot 1.

Nine of the sites seem to represent prehistoric activity in the form of burnt mounds (Slievereagh 1 and 2, Cappagh East 2, Killeen 2, 3 and 5 and Ballymakeery 2, Toonlane 1 and 5). These sites could date from any time between the Neolithic period and the Iron Age. Slievereagh 1, 2 and Ballymakeery 2 contain mounds that seem very well preserved while the others have been extensively truncated by agricultural activity.

Three of the sites contained probable charcoal production pits which are likely to date to the Iron Age or early medieval period (Cappagh West 1, Cappagh East 1 and Ballymakeery 5). The pits at Cappagh West and Cappagh East, if they are charcoal production pits, are large examples of these features.

Evidence of metalworking in the form of slag was found at two sites and these are also likely to be Iron Age or early medieval in date (Killeen 1 and Toonlane 2). Killeen 1 is located in close proximity to an upstanding ringfort outside of the CPO and may be related to it.

A portion of an enclosure currently classified as an early medieval ringfort has also been identified (Ballymakeery 1). This site was known in advance of the archaeological investigations and further work should be able to confirm its nature and date.

The other five sites (Killeen 4, Ballymakeery 3 and 4, Toonlane 3 and 4) contained pits, post-holes and small linear features but there is currently no evidence to date the activity represented.

Further excavation will allow a full discussion on the past activity represented on the route of the road.

All the sites identified are within the proposed route of the new road and would suffer a direct and severe impact during construction. It is recommended that a suitable area around each archaeological area is stripped of topsoil to further define the nature and extent of the site. Where archaeological remains are confirmed, and where they cannot be preserved in situ, it is recommended that they be excavated prior to construction.

Bonsall, J., Grimson, H. and Garner, U. 2017 N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Scheme. Archaeological Consultancy Services Stage (i) Geophysical Survey (R0450), 2 vols. Unpublished report by Earthsound Ltd for Cork County Council.

IAC Ltd. 2009 Cultural heritage. In McCarthy Hyder Consultants (compilers) N22 Baile Bhuirne – Macroom: environmental impact statement. 4 volumes. Chapter 8. Unpublished report by McCarthy Hyder for Cork County Council.

Shanahan, S. and Gleeson, M. 2017 Geophysical Investigation at selected areas within Slievereagh, Baile Bhuirne, Co. Cork. Unpublished report by Shanarc Ltd for Cork County Council.

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