2023:357 - Gaeilscoil Bandon, Cloghmacsimon, Cork

Archaeological testing works were undertaken at a proposed school development at Gaelscoil Bandon, Cloghmacsimon, Co Cork. Geophysical survey was carried out in October 2023 (Bart Korfanty; 23R0425) and the test excavation was undertaken on 14 December 2023. A total of 9 trenches were excavated across the site totaling 327 linear metres. Constraints in the form of overhead wires and overgrown areas resulted in the reduction of linear meters excavated from 390 to 327. Trenches were placed to target anomalies recorded in the course of the geophysical survey.

Across the site topsoil was recorded as a humic light brown silty clay (C1). Topsoil is deeper and more friable in the old community gardens (Trench 3, 4 & 5) varied in depth from 0.05-0.6m. Subsoil was relatively uniform and was recorded as a light orange-brown compact clay with frequent gravel and stoney deposits.

Three modern features were noted across the site; C3 & C4, both patches of modern gravel & C13, a shallow linear feature containing a fragment of white tableware. Five ‘likely modern’ features were also investigated: C5 & C6 likely represent the field boundary depicted on the 1st Edition OS map, C7 & C8, two agricultural furrows and C10, a stone-filled drainage gully, were all deemed likely to be modern in date. Finally, four features were deemed to be non-archaeological: C9 & C11, both possible tree holes, C12 & C14, both variations in subsoil.

Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in the course of the works.