2017:398 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Scheme (Lot 3) - Ballyveerane, Bealick, Clonfadda, Codrum, Coolcour, Coolyhane, Gurteenroe (Muskerry West By.), Kilnagurteen, Ummera (Muskerry East By.), Cork

Test excavations were carried out on behalf of Cork County Council on Lot 3, 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. Lot 3 test excavations were undertaken between 18 September and 18 October 2017. This report is classed as an interim report as there are two test trenches that are to be carried out once access is arranged. Lot 1 and 2 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 archaeological test excavation works relating to the road development (A074). The registration number, E004900, was allocated by the National Monument Service for test excavation of Lot 3 of the proposed route, under the direction of Ross MacLeod of Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd, assisted by directors Stuart Elder, Dave Baley and Lydia Cagney.

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).

The route of Lot 3 was divided into three areas (Area 1–3) and test trenches totalling approximately 12% of the trenchable lands made available in those areas, were excavated (28,041 linear meters plus trench extensions). During standard and wetland Stage (i) test trenching a total of 17 areas of archaeological potential were identified. All of these areas were previously unknown.

Eight of the sites seem to represent prehistoric activity in the form of burnt mounds/spreads (Teerbeg 2, Gorteenroe 1, Kilnagurteen 1, Ballyveerane 1, Coolyhane 2, Bealick 1 and 2 and Ummera 1). These sites could date from any time between the Neolithic period and the Iron Age, but are often found to cluster in the Bronze Age.

One site Kilnagurteen 1 had the appearance of a cremation burial due to the presence of flecks of burnt bone. This could be Bronze or Iron Age in date. No other features were found in the immediate vicinity, so it may represent an isolated feature, but Stage (ii) works will confirm if this is the case as cremations burials can occurred in scatters. Another site which may represent Bronze or Iron Age burial/ritual activity is Ummera 2 where a possible ring ditch was found.

A possible kiln has been identified at Teerbeg 1. A cereal drying kiln would be the most likely in this type of area. These generally date form the early medieval period and later.

At Bealick 3 ditch features were identified with a tentative interpretation of one of these being a possible souterrain. If this was the case it would probably be early medieval in date. However further work is needed in Stage (ii) to confirm the nature and date of these features.

At Kilnagurteen 3 and Bealick 4 there is probably post‐medieval activity represented with a wall which may be related to the Mount Massey demesne and a dump of metalworking debris which is likely to be from a 20th-century foundry to the rear of Bealick mill. There were three further sites of unknown date including a cluster of pits at Coolyhane 1, a pit and curvilinear ditch at Teerbeg 3, and a well at Coolyhane 3.

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) 2009 N22 Baile Bhuirne – Macroom: environmental impact statement. 4 volumes. Chapter 8. Unpublished report by McCarthy Hyder for Cork County Council.

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