County: Kerry Site name: Glencar to Lyreboy
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KE072-008--, KE071-001--- & KE071-001001- Licence number: 21E0685
Author: Padraig Dunne
Site type: Monitoring - possible rotary quern
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 473058m, N 581842m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.974126, -9.847709
A programme of licensed archaeological monitoring associated with the refurbishment and upgrading works of an existing 20kv overhead electricity line (referred to as "The Glencar Line") was undertaken on a continuous basis from 28 September until 1 November 2021, and intermittently through December 2021 within the environs of Glencar, Co. Kerry. The development consisted of the uprate of two sections of the OHL. Structures 1 - 142 extending through fifteen townlands: Lyreboy, Gortmaloon West, Shanacashel, Breanlee, Coomletta, Keeas, Boheeshil, Shronahiree More, Coornameana, Curragh Beg, Gortmaloon East, Derreenanaryagh, Dromalonhurt, Lyranes Upper and Maghancosaun, while structures 143 - 196 through seven townlands: Curraflugh, Drom East, Bunglasha South, Dromdoory, Cappyantanvally, Dreenagh and Keel. The associated groundworks entailed refurbishment and upgrading works including (where necessary) replacement of existing poles, and the provision of 7 no. new poles, along the existing overhead electricity line. Replacement poles were constructed at, or immediately adjacent to, the existing structures that they replaced. Replacement and new poles had a maximum height of 12m above ground, and were similar in appearance to existing poles. Additional upgrade works included:
• installation of stays; replacement of existing equipment e.g., headgear, installation of additional equipment.
• installation of a new 3-phase conductor along the full length of the line; and
• all associated ancillary works, including the provision of temporary accessways.
No recorded archaeological monuments were impacted by the proposed development, however, proposed works encroached on the Zone of Notification for three archaeological monuments including a Children’s burial ground (KE071-001-) and associated Bullaun Stone (KE071-001001-) in Keel townland and a Standing Stone (KE072-008) within Derrenanryagh. Nothing archaeological was identified during groundworks associated with the OHL uprate development. However, a possible rotary quern was identified in a rubblestone field boundary close to the development works. This feature was not impacted by the works, and details of its location were forwarded onto the Archaeological Survey Unit of the National Monuments Service and the National Museum of Ireland.
John Cronin & Associates, 3A Westpoint Trade Centre, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
