2022:340 - CHARLEVILLE: Rathgoggan Middle, Cork

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken at the site of a permitted food production facility at the Kerry Group complex, Rathgoggan Middle, Charleville, County Cork on a phased basis between 22 June 2022 and 4 November 2022. The monitoring programme was carried out under extensions to Excavation Licence 22E0170 which was first issued in relation to a programme of archaeological testing undertaken within the site during April 2022. A number of walls and drainage features, evidently dating to the 19th century, were revealed in the north-eastern portion of the development area during the monitoring programme, however, no archaeological features or deposits predating the modern period (e.g., before the 19th century) were revealed within the impacted area. The 19th-century features were investigated and recorded in detail under an amendment to Excavation Licence 22E0170.

While it was necessary to remove portions of the revealed features to facilitate construction, the majority of the wall and drainage features were preserved in situ below the construction formation level—this was achieved as the construction formation level lay significantly above the level to which the site was reduced during site preparation works. A significant amount of stone/hardcore was redeposited across the area prior to construction which had the effect of re-covering the features which were revealed during the early part of the monitoring programme. Consequently, the areas of impact during the construction phase of the project were localised to the foundation pad locations.

All of the revealed 19th-century walls and drainage features appear to be associated with the wider site surrounding corn mill CO002-061005-, and the walls, in particular, correspond with those depicted in this area on the historic OS mapping. The subsurface culvert and drains which were revealed appear to form part of a comprehensive drainage system which was installed across the wider area surrounding the corn mill prior to, but associated with, its construction. Pottery sherds dating to the 19th century and frequent brick fragments were contained within secure soil contexts within, and surrounding, the walls and drainage features. Some of the wall and drainage features were also partially constructed with brick. Where revealed, the modern features were recorded in written, drawn (including GPS recording) and photographic formats.

Finally, no impacts occurred to the surviving upstanding elements of corn mill CO002-061005- during the mitigation programme. A buffer zone was erected around the upstanding remains prior to the commencement of the construction phase of the project in order to comply with Condition 7 of the Cork County Council grant of consent.