2025:166 - Station Road, Carrigtohill, Cork

Test excavation was undertaken on the 10 and 11 June 2025 at Station Road, Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork. Prior to the commencement of test excavation an area affected by invasive plant species was discovered on the western side of the site. The trenches had to be shortened to avoid that area. The total of 945 linear metres proposed to excavate in the method statement was shortened to 803m.

The exposed subsoil consisted of a loosely compacted orangeish-brown sandy clay. Two archaeological features were identified respectively in Trenches 2 and 3.

Trench 2, Area A:

The feature encountered in Trench 2 appeared as a sub-circular pit measuring c. 1.9m north-south x 1.3m (ITM 581831, 573676). The fill consisted of a dark brown, charcoal and stone saturated silty clay. The feature was interpreted as a pit filled with fulacht-like (burnt stones) material. The excavated area around this feature was extended to a 6m x 8m rectangle. No other features were uncovered in this location.

Trench 3, Area B:

The feature encountered in Trench 3 appeared as an elongated, oval pit measuring c. 2.58m north-west/south-east x 0.78m (ITM 581876, 573697). The fill consisted of a light greyish-brown silty clay. There was evidence of heat-affected clay along the feature’s cut in the north-west portion. The feature was interpreted as a possible corn-drying kiln. The excavated area around this feature was extended to a 5m x 6.5m rectangle. No other features were uncovered in this location.

Multiple linear shallow features running north-south and east-west were evident across the entire excavated surface. Those were interpreted as evidence of modern ploughing. There was a significant amount of made ground encountered in the western portion of Trench 6.

Further works have been recommended prior to development.