2018:801 - N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Project (Lot 2), Co. Cork – Coolavokig, Lackaneen, Lissacresig, Carrignamaddry, Inchinlinane, Carrigaphooca, Killaclug, Glananarig and Clonfadda, Cork

Stage (i)a Standard Test Excavations and (i)c Test Excavations in Wetland took place along the route of the proposed N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Project (Lot 2), Co. Cork under Ministerial Directions A000074. Testing was undertaken in two phases due to environmental restrictions and took place in July-August 2017 and January-February 2018. The test trenching revealed fifteen previously unknown sites. These sites include burnt stone spreads and troughs, pits and post-holes, a lime kiln, quarry ramps and cottages. Two areas where buildings are shown on historic maps were also identified as having archaeological potential and scheduled for further investigation.
A total of 24,290.5 linear metres of test trench was excavated across the 82 fields in Lot 2 of the project. Areas were also opened up around potential features in order to ascertain their full extent. The total area investigated was 48,754.2m², a 9.9% sample of the 461,775 m² of Lands Made Available for the project.
Lot 2 of the project extends from ITM 524240 575010 to 530510 573995. This section of the route is aligned approximately west to east and mostly lies south of the current N22 road and north of the Sullane River. Generally the route is in the valley base or on the lower slopes of the northern valley side. At the eastern end the new road route crosses the existing N22 and lies on its northern side. In approximately the same location it also crosses the Foherish River, a tributary of the Sullane. At the west the route climbs to higher ground. The project lies 130m above Ordnance Datum (OD) at its western end, drops to below 90m OD in the central portion by the Sullane River and rises to 100m OD at the east. As a result, the terrain of the sites varies, and includes improved grasslands, scrubland, woodland, exposed bedrock and wetlands.

The project was funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland through Cork County Council.

Fifteen sites were subsequently assigned individual registration numbers and excavated.
Carrigaphooca 1 (E004995; ITM 529258 573729): Post-medieval lime kiln
Clonfadda 1 (E004933; ITM 530380 573974): Charcoal-production pit and other pits
Coolavokig 2 (E004934; ITM 524426 574907): Burnt stone spread and trough
Coolavokig 3 (E004935; ITM 524406 574972): Burnt stone spread and hearth
Coolavokig 4 & 5 (E004996; ITM 524816 574782): Quarry ramps
Inchinilane 1 (E004927; ITM 528206 573492): Burnt stone spread, troughs and pits
Inchinilane 2 (E004928; ITM 528376 573492): Pits
Killaclug 1 & 2 (E004944; ITM 529625 573862): Post-medieval lime kiln, mill complex and cottages
Killaclug 3 (E004945; ITM 529815 573898): Burnt stone spread and trough
Killaclug 4 (E004946; ITM 529815 573917): Mill leat
Lackaneen 1 (E004930; ITM 526726 574382): Burnt stone spread and trough
Lackaneen 2 (E004931; ITM 526566 574387): Pits
Lackaneen 3 (E004932; ITM 526536 574354): Pit

Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare