2017:539 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom, Lackaneen 1, Cork

Lackaneen 1 (E004930) was located on the proposed N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Project (Lot 2). The site lay on the flood plain of the River Sullane, in a large pasture field sloping downwards very slightly to the south towards the river.

The only phase of archaeological activity on the site was represented by a burnt stone spread and a trough which appeared to be approximately contemporary. The archaeological features and deposits were sited on top of a low natural mound in the centre of the site, immediately adjacent to an area of low wet ground at the south that may have been a palaeochannel.

A horseshoe-shaped deposit of heat-shattered stones measured 7.1m by 6.3m and was up to 0.38m thick with a slightly mounded profile. This deposit was firmly compacted, comprising heat-shattered stone and black/brown mottled silt. The burnt stone spread surrounded the trough on three sides, opening to the south-west.

The sub-rectangular trough measured 1.19m by 1.9m and was 0.5m deep. The trough had a sharp break of slope at the top and irregular steeply sloping sides rounding to a relatively flat base.

The trough contained five fills. The lowest three fills comprised burnt stone in silt and the lowest two could represent the final use of the trough. Over these deposits, and lapping outside the cut-over part of the burnt stone spread, was loose brown silty sand. The upper fill was light brown/yellow silty clay with frequent inclusions of medium-sized to large unburnt stones. This upper fill was a sterile redeposited natural clay which filled a hollow in the uppermost section of the trough and partially overlay the burnt stone spread outside the trough. It is not clear from where this natural clay derived.

Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare