2025:215 - Barnahely 3, Cork

Barnahely 3 was excavated in advance of the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Project by Rubicon Archaeology Ltd (in conjunction with TVAS Ireland Ltd) for Cork County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland.
Excavation revealed three areas with archaeological remains indicating activity dating from prehistoric to modern periods.
Stage (iv) post-excavation analysis is still pending. Below is a preliminary bulletin.
The preliminary assessment of the results of the excavation suggests that the burnt mound together with several pits, post-holes and troughs identified at Barnahely 3 Area A were likely prehistoric in date. These features were truncated by later water channels and drainage features which may represent elements of a mill-race.
In Area B, a cluster of pits and stake-holes are currently undated. At Area C, a souterrain with three passages, a penannular ditch and a series of pits and post-holes, that likely represent an early medieval circular house c. 6m in diameter, were identified. An unusual rectilinear slot trench was also uncovered just to the south of the house entrance. This may represent the foundation of some kind of agricultural storage feature, for hay or grain. Finds from this area included a partial rotary quern and fragments of bone comb.
The preliminary specialist assessment of the palaeo-environmental samples support a possible early medieval date for features in Areas B and C.