2017:536 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom, Inchinlinane 1, Cork

Inchinlinane 1 was located on the proposed N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Project (Lot 2). The site was situated in a large pasture field on the flood plain of the Sullane River, immediately adjacent to a modern slatted shed.
The excavation revealed a fulacht fia consisting of a burnt stone spread with three troughs. Also found were a number of pits and post-holes.
The three troughs were clustered together and were of a similar design, sub-circular in plan with occasional large stones at the edges that might have supported a lining but were not themselves lining the troughs. The three features measured 1.7m by 1.52m and 0.62m deep; 1.68m by 1.22m and 0.7m deep; and 2.18m by 1.15m and 0.51m deep. The overlying spread of burnt stone covered an area of approximately 12m by 9.5m and was just 0.14-0.3m thick, having doubtless been disturbed during recent agricultural and construction activity.
Four pits were found outside the spread and may have been related. One was sub-circular and contained burnt stone material, whilst one was small and irregular with a burnt stone fill. The other two pits, which were sub-rectangular in plan, were less obviously related to the burnt stone activity. The smaller of these pits was severely truncated but survived to measure 1.08m by 1.02m and just 0.09m deep with stake-holes in two corners, suggesting it was originally plank lined. Its neighbour was larger, measuring 2.42m by 1.61m and was 0.33m deep with vertical sides and a flat base. Although no stake-holes were found this pit was also presumably designed to be lined with planks. The fills of these pits included some charcoal-rich deposits but their function remains unknown. Two post-holes on the site lay close to the burnt stone spread but were not obviously related.

Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare