2026:160 - Cappagh, Kinsale, Cork

A third phase of archaeological excavation was undertaken at the site of the new Kinsale GAA complex at Bandon Road, Cappagh, Kinsale. The two previous phases of excavation were carried out under Excavation Licence 25E0004.

The excavation revealed the heavily truncated remains of a near circular, roundhouse-type structure, termed ‘Structure B’, which was defined by an outer gully and a series of 13 regularly spaced structural post-pad features which abutted the internal edge of the gully. Two inner post-pads and a pit were also revealed within the interior of the structure, while the entrance to the structure appeared to be on its eastern side. The structure had been heavily disturbed and truncated by early modern and modern agricultural activity.

The gully which defined the structure was near circular in shape and had external dimensions of 9.25m north-south by 9m, generally measured between 0.5m and 0.7m wide and a maximum depth of 0.22m. The gully was best preserved in its western half. The post-pad features likely represented the remnants of roof supporting timbers which may have been fixed on horizontal base plates due to the elongated shape of their cut. Two internal post-pad features quite possibly represented internal roof supports. The structure appears to have been burnt at the end of its usage period.

A clay or daub-built wall, which possibly incorporated wattle, seems to have extended between the post features as evidenced by the charcoal-rich fills, containing frequent burnt clay/daub fragments, which filled the gully and partially overlay the post-pads. This tallies with comparative site types which generally date to the Bronze Age.

Post-excavation analyses are ongoing.