2023:473 - Carrigrohane Castle, Cork

Licence no. 19E0595 was re-activated in 2023 to facilitate monitoring of topsoil removal in the grounds of Carrigrohane Castle, in an area where it is proposed to build new houses. The work commenced on 18 September 2023. It quickly became apparent that archaeological features and artefacts were present. Short sections of two parallel ditches were exposed, c. 5m apart and running approximately east-west. The exposed sections appeared linear, but could also have been part of a large circular or ovoid enclosure. The ditches were c. 1.4m wide and 0.5m deep. The fill of the northern ditch was archaeologically sterile; the fill of the other was a black silty material which contained frequent charcoal inclusion, tiny fragments of tooth and one sherd of Saintonge pottery. To the south of this ditch several features were exposed which had a similar black silty fill, indicating that this area to the south of the ditches was the location of whatever settlement was associated with the ditches. Carrigrohane cemetery (CO073-050001-), which was the location of a medieval church (CO073-050002-), lies just 40m to the south and it is possible the ditches are remains of an ecclesiastical enclosure.

As required by a planning condition works were halted pending discussion with the authorities. No further archaeological works were carried out.