2019:140 - Lissaniska, Kerry

A test excavation was carried out in Lissaniska townland 10km east of Listowel in advance of the landowner applying for planning permission to extend a landfill site. The proposed development is for the importation of inert construction and demolition waste for the raising of low-lying lands in order to improve their agricultural output. The area of the proposed landfill site encompasses three fields that slope gently to the south. The nearest archaeological monuments are two levelled ringforts (KE011-025 & KE011-023) located c. 150m to the north-east and south-west of the site.

A total of 12 mechanically excavated trenches were investigated across the three fields proposed for landfill. The trenches varied in depth from 0.35m to 0.5m and the soil profile generally consisted of friable peaty sediment overlying the natural ground made up of fine grey clay and stony orange sandy clay.

Field 1, Test Trenches 1-5:
Five trenches, orientated south-east/north-west, were equidistantly placed in a field adjacent to the southern side of the public road. The trenches measured c. 155m in length and all were excavated to the surface of the natural subsoil. Numerous stone-filled land drains were exposed across the tested area and it was clear that this field had been subject to significant reclamation in the past. No features or finds of archaeological merit were exposed.

Field 2, Test Trenches 6-8:
Three trenches were excavated in this field. All were orientated north-east/south-west and they measured c. 145m in total length. No features or finds of archaeological significance were identified.

Field 3, Test Trenches 9-12:
The four excavated trenches were all orientated north-west/south-east and measured c. 95m in length. No features or finds of archaeological value were identified.

Rostellan, Midleton, Co. Cork