2024:752 - Rincullia (AH7) Foynes to Limerick Road including Adare Bypass, Limerick

Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) on behalf of Limerick City and County Council (LCCC),  sponsored by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII),  undertook Stage (i)b Site Specific Test Excavations by Hand, Stage (i)g Topographic Survey and Stage (i)h Metal Detector Survey at a Recorded Monument (SMR/RMP No. LI010-074—- enclosure; Project Ref. AH 7 in Test Excavation Area SE_A001), in the townland of Rincullia for the planned Foynes to Limerick Road (including Adare Bypass), Co. Limerick under Ministerial Direction No. A000084.

The hand tested trenches totalled 178m², representing a 13.5% sample of the footprint of the monument. The on-site Stage (i)b, g and h works took place between 20 May and 4 December 2024, with the Stage (i)g Topographic Survey taking place on 20 May 2024, the Stage (i)h Metal Detector Survey taking place on 23 October 2024 and the Stage (i)b Site Specific Test Excavations by Hand taking place between 12 October and 4 December 2024.

Five trenches (Trenches T1–T5) were excavated within the interior of the enclosure LI010-074—- (AH 7). The enclosure consists of a subcircular area (33m north-south by 30m) enclosed by a low earthen bank and external ditch. The test trenches revealed a thin layer of humic topsoil (0.4m deep) overlying a sterile natural gravel deposit.

Two sections were also excavated through the bank and ditch at the northern and western extents of the enclosure. The enclosure’s stone and earthen bank measured 2.6m wide and 0.83–1.21m high to the interior and 0.8–2.2m high to the exterior. The external ditch measured 2.6m wide and 1.1–1.2m deep. A small amount of animal bone was recovered from the base of the ditch. A deposit of loose stones was present on the top of the bank, potentially representing field clearance most likely dating to the post-medieval or modern period. Although this deposit of stones may give the impression of dry stone walling, sections excavated within the bank seem to suggest this deposit was simply laid over the earthen bank. The site appears to be the denuded remains of a possible early medieval enclosure.

Several features were identified within the interior of the enclosure including five irregularly shaped pits and two linear features, indicating potential occupation-phase activity within the enclosure. The pits measured 0.5m x 0.3–1.66m x 0.92m with some containing animal bone. The two linear features were oriented north–south and measured 1.8m long by 0.6m wide and 1.4m long by 0.6m wide.

A single metal find (iron object) was recovered during the Stage (i)h Metal Detector Survey (Find No. S000251:1). This find has been identified as an early modern object of no archaeological interest. Finds from the Stage (i)b Site Specific Test Excavations by Hand comprise a copper alloy thimble (Find No. E005729:1), three sherds of early modern pottery (Find Nos. E005729:2, E005729:3 and E005729:5) and an iron buckle (Find No. E005729:4).

As the monument will be impacted by the upcoming construction works, the site will proceed to Stage (ii) and Stage (iii)—full excavation and preservation by record.