2019:382 - Cloontycarthy, Cleanrath North, Cleanrath South, Derreennacarton, Derrineanig, Turnaspidogy, Milmorane, Coomlibane, Rathgaskig, Derragh, Augeris, Gorteennakilla, Carrignadoura, Gurteenowen, Lyrenageeha and Lackabaun, Cork

Pre-development testing of a permitted 9-turbine wind farm was carried out. A total of twelve trenches were excavated where topography and ground conditions allowed. All trenches were excavated to the underlying natural subsoil or bedrock and no archaeological finds, features or deposits were uncovered.
Monitoring was subsequently undertaken within the Cleanrath Windfarm and associated cable route over a period of several months between September 2018 and May 2019. This monitoring was undertaken on foot of a planning condition from an Bord Pleanála. Full time monitoring of all groundworks were undertaken within the windfarm site and along the underground grid connection from Grousemount via Derragh Substation to the Cleanrath windfarm. In general the stratigraphy within the windfarm consisted of shallow peat and scrub directly overlying natural rock. The natural rock occurred in ridges within intervening pockets of peat. The grid connection cable route consisted of the clearance of the road margin in advance of ducting followed by the excavation of a narrow trench, c. 1.2m deep. The latter was excavated mainly through natural subsoil with rock occurring in places.
No archaeological finds, features or deposits were encountered during monitoring.

Tobar Archaeological Services, Saleen, Midleton, County Cork