2023:024 - Annabella, Cork

Archaeological testing at Annabella, Mallow, Co. Cork was undertaken at the beginning of January 2022. A series of eighteen parallel north-south running linear test trenches (T1-T18) were excavated across the proposed development site. The additional six east-west trenches (T19-T24) were opened at the location of geophysical anomalies and trends identified during the geophysical survey (Dunne 2022).

Two potential archaeological features were recorded during testing: a pit in trench T4 and a possible hearth in trench T19. The immediate areas around the features were expanded to expose the limits of the archaeology and two more possible pits were revealed near the pit in T4. Following contact with National Monuments Service the licence was amended to undertake full excavation of the features. The two areas of archaeological interest were reopened in early February 2022.

Archaeology within Area 1 (Trench 19) comprised of single amorphous feature (3m (L) by 0.8-1.6m (W) by 0.65m (max. D)) which was clearly manifest on the surface by a layer of red burnt clay. It was interpreted as a tree-throw. Area 2 was re-opened at the location of the three pits found during testing in trench T4. The first pit located in the centre of Area 2 was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.08m x 0.72m with a maximum depth of 0.32m and contained varying amounts of charcoal and charred seeds. The second pit was situated c.1m east of the first. It was sub-oval in plan and measured 1.26m x 0.77m with a maximum depth of 0.25m. The pit comprised of four fills of which the top one contained frequent charcoal chunks and charred seeds. The charred seeds from the two pits returned Middle Bronze Age dates. The last pit was the smallest of the three features (0.58m x 0.4m x 0.18m in depth) and was located c.2.4m north-west of the central one. It contained a single fill with moderate charcoal inclusions. No artefacts were recovered during testing or excavation at Annabella.

3 Lios na Lohart, Ballyvelly, Tralee Co. Kerry