County: Cork Site name: Kinsale AFC, The Terrace, Forthill, Kinsale
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 17E0273
Author: Damian Shiels
Site type: Possible post-medieval military landscape
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 565738m, N 549644m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.698142, -8.495643
Archaeological test excavations and a licensed metal detection survey were carried out on behalf of Kinsale AFC as a condition of Cork County Council pursuant to the granting of planning application 16/06477.
The proposed development site was located at ‘The Terrace’ in the townland of Forthill on the eastern shore of Kinsale Harbour, 2km south-east of the town of Kinsale. The intended works comprise the construction of an access road, parking area, clubhouse and ancillary works that cover an area of approximately 0.5ha.
The archaeological works followed recommendations set out in an impact assessment undertaken by Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd. which identified the proposed development's proximity to the 17th-century Charles Fort (CO112-036), the likelihood that the extant Kinsale AFC grounds stand on the approximate location of English siege positions related to the 1690 siege of Charles Fort, and the possible existence of First World War-era practice trenches adjacent to the proposed development site, all of which might be impacted upon. The test trenching and metal detection assessment were undertaken to further aid in assessment of those potential archaeological impacts.
Prior to the excavation of the test trenches a sample licensed metal detection survey was undertaken at the site on the 5 July 2017 in order to examine the military artefact-bearing potential of the proposed development area (Detection Consent No. 17R0110). It became apparent that due to high levels of contamination resulting from the presence of a large 20th-century rubbish dump (and subsequent illicit dumping at the site) that no finds of archaeological significance would be identified.
A total of 7 test trenches totalling 240 linear metres were excavated between the 6 and 7 July 2017 within the footprint of the development. Excavation revealed high level bedrock in those trenches adjoining the entrance road (Trenches 1 and 2), while all remaining trenches contained the remains of modern refuse associated with the late 20th-century rubbish dump. These refuse layers were excavated through until either natural was reached or the trenches reached 1.25m in depth, the maximum allowable for health and safety reasons.
No finds, features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during the metal detection and testing programme.
Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd., Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
