2024:676 - Lohercannan, Tralee, Kerry

Excavation was carried out at a 3.93ha site at Lohercannan, Tralee, Co. Kerry. The site was tested by Michael Connolly in 2023 (23E0007 & 23R0002) when a total of 61 possible archaeological features were identified. The licences were subsequently transferred to Ian Russell for the archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping within a number of designated areas (Areas A–V) and the excavation of all features identified.
Possible prehistoric archaeological features were identified at Area A: burnt spread (C148), oxidised clay (C146), pits (C248, C251 & C253) and possible trough (C260); at Area D: pit (C243); Areas E, F & G: burnt spread (C144), possible trough (C190) and pits (C189, C195, C197, C203 & C214); Area L: spreads (C157 & 158) and pits (C206, C207, C209 & C255); Area R: pit (C184); Area S: spread (C169) and Area T: possible pits (C237 & C258). Possible early medieval/medieval archaeological features were also identified at Area A: cereal-drying kiln (C215) and Area O: slot-trench (C226) and pit (C238). Some of these features, particularly the ‘isolated’ pits, may, however, date to any period. There were, for example, three early modern pits (C134, C232 & C234) identified in Area O and another (C105) identified in Area Q. There are also several field system ditches (C107, C127, C128, C133, C137, C138, C139, C142, C150, C166 & C167) that are undated, while others (C109, C117, C121, C135, C136, C183) represent post-medieval–early modern agricultural field boundaries, some of which are depicted on 19th-century mapping.
All archaeological features have now been preserved by record, consequently the proposed development will not have an archaeological impact. However, it would be recommended that archaeological monitoring of all topsoil stripping associated with the proposed development is conducted in order to identify any potential archaeological features that may be exposed between Areas A-V.