2022:879 - MITCHELSTOWN, Cork

Archaeological testing was undertaken in response to a further information request by Cork County Council. A new residential development was proposed which comprises the demolition of the former Mart Complex, and the construction of residential housing units.

The proposed development site was contained within two fields and a series of buildings which was formerly the Cattle Mart Complex standing to the west of George Street, Mitchelstown, County Cork.

A geophysical survey was carried out (22R0246) which did not reveal any definitive archaeological responses. Numerous modern ferrous features were recorded throughout the survey area, however some responses of potential archaeological interest were identified. These responses, along with other liner trends interpreted as agricultural in origin, were subject to verification by test trenches. In addition, a more widespread layout of archaeological test trenches aimed to assess the greater part of the area proposed for development.

Of the eleven trenches excavated across the site only one contained possible archaeological material – a single isolated possible pit (F3) represented by a spread of charcoal and baked clay. The other features identified across the trenches correspond to agricultural furrows or land drains (F1–F2, F4, F5 and F6) of post-medieval/early modern date, all of which were detected by the geophysical survey (except for F6); these are not archaeological features.  The only finds were small sherds of 19^th/20^th-century glazed pottery.

No archaeological finds of earlier date were recovered from any of the trenches.