2023:762 - Aghadoe, Cork

Archaeological test-trenching was undertaken for a proposed housing development in the townland of Aghadoe, Killeagh Co. Cork.

The proposed development is contained within a single sub-triangular field immediately to the north and contained within the former Aghadoe Corn Mill complex, at Killeagh Village, East Cork. To the north of the field is Glenbower Lake (drained in the late 1980s) which was once the mill pond for the complex, with the millrace running from the north-west side of the pond.

The assessment was undertaken as part of a further information request outlined by Cork County Council. A new residential development is proposed at the rear of Aghadoe Corn Mill, a Recorded Monument (RMPC0066-052001) and Protected Structure (Reg. 20829006).

Ten test-trenches were excavated within the proposed development area. The evidence from Trenches 1-2 indicates that the north-western area of the site is much disturbed, with the underlying ground composed chiefly of re-deposited clays that contained some cultural material including fragments of brick, perforated floor tiles for grain-drying and ceramic pipe at depths over 1m.

A curving section of wall (F1) related to the headrace of Aghadoe Mill was uncovered at the northern end of the site in Trench 4. The wall, capped with a mortared concrete, was designed to carry a wooden water trough to the vertical water wheel at the western side of the mill. No further sections of the stone wall were uncovered at the southern end of the site, with the evidence suggesting it was removed at a later date.

A small pit (F3) and shallow ditch (F2) were found in Trench 6. The ditch was orientated north-west/south-east, with partial investigation suggesting it was 0.5m deep and between 0.8-1m wide. It contained glazed and unglazed fragments of earthenware and a possible North Devon gravel-tempered ware floor or roof tile of early 19^th-century date. The pit contained coal/cinder fragments and a rim sherd from a 19^th-century glazed earthenware jug/pot. Several other cut features (F4 and F5) were found in Trench 7, with two containing additional fragments of glazed red earthenware of 19^th-century date.