2021:554 - DOIRE FHIONÁIN MÓR, Kerry

Phase 4 of archaeological excavations at early medieval caiseal, KE106-073, at Derrynane was divided into two tranches. Tranche 1 was undertaken in mid-May 2021 and Tranche 2 at the end of August – early September 2021. Tranche 1 comprised of completion of Cutting 9 which was commenced in October 2020 (Dunne 2020) and excavation of Cutting 11. Cutting 9 was extended in two directions: (1) easterly, towards the outer limits of the cashel which required the removal of a section of outer walling to re-open the original caiseal entrance found during Phase 3 (Dunne 2020). Excavation revealed poorly packed material between the portal stone demarcating the terminal of the north-east side of the entrance and the entrance walling on the opposite north-west side. Excavation downslope in a general north-east direction on the exterior of the newly revealed entrance exposed bedrock of c.0.9m height that had been modified or stepped.
Cutting 11 comprised of the de-sodding and removal of all vegetation on the sloping outer southern limits of the caiseal abutting Cutting 6 excavated during Phase 3 (Dunne 2020). The objective was to reveal the bedrock on which the caiseal wall was built and to reuse the recovered material for the conservation. Excavation of Cutting 11 revealed wavy and worn sloping bedrock. Two triangular quarried areas bearing tool marks from the quarrying were also recorded.
Phase 4, Tranche 2 comprised of the excavation of Cuttings 10 and 12 that essentially comprise extensions to Cutting 6 (Dunne 2020).
Excavation Cutting 10 was undertaken to establish the extent of the original outer southern limits of the primary caiseal wall and included:
• Removal of a few large ex-situ stones that had formed part of the modern made-up entrance here in the recent past which revealed coherent continuation of the outer facing masonry of the caiseal wall. Furthermore, the removal of the loose stones and cleaning also revealed a formal return-end to a secondary and later outer tier of walling to a height of c.1m
• Works within the interior (northern) part of Cutting 10 included the removal of a few stones from the poorly-built inner and uppermost wall. The excavated material comprised of mainly earth with frequent random stone inclusions. Sterile yellow clay was found below and also exposed the probable inner original tier of the caiseal wall.
Cutting 12 abuts and forms an extension to the northern limits of Cutting 6. Its primary objective was to establish a working area for the OPW masons to commence re-construction of the inner facing of the caiseal wall that was originally revealed during excavation of Cutting 6 during Phase 3 (Dunne 2020). The average depth of the cutting was c. 0.9m. Removal of this material revealed a maximum in-situ height of 1m comprising the foundation courses of the inner facing of the caiseal wall that was constructed on the bedrock below. In the mid-section of Cutting 12 and extending under the foundation courses of the inner facing of the wall a dark organic deposit was exposed. It contained frequent shell inclusions and animal bones which were recovered for analysis and dating. A stone disc was recovered from Cutting 12 in the interstices of the foundation courses of the inner facing of the caiseal wall.

References:

Dunne, L. (2020) Darrynane More Caiseal, KE106-073, Interim Phase 3 Archaeological Excavations Results, Derrynane National Historic Park, Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry. Unpublished Report Laurence Dunne Archaeology

3 Lios na Lohart, Ballyvelly, Tralee Co. Kerry