Archaeological Report - Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)

Eachtra Journal

Issue 10 [ISSN 2009-2237]

Archaeological Excavation Report

04E1119 - Stagpark 3, Co. Cork

Two Fulachta fiadh

Final Excavcation Report of two Fulachta fiadh at
Stagpark,
N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road,
Co. Cork

July 2006

Client: Cork County Council,
National Roads Office,
Richmond,
Glanmire,
Co. Cork

Licence No.: 04E1119
Licensee: Bruce Sutton

Contact details:
The Forge,
Innishannon, Co. Cork.
Tel.: 021 470 16 16
Fax: 021 470 16 28
E-mail: info@eachtra.ie
Web Site: www.eachtra.ie

04E1119 Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

Table of Contents

i Project details .................................................................................................... iv
ii Non-Technical Summary ....................................................................................v
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................1
1.1 Site location ..................................................................................................1
1.2 Scope of the Project ......................................................................................1
1.3 Circumstances of discovery ..........................................................................1
1.4 Date and duration of excavation works .........................................................1
1.5 Size and composition of the excavation team ................................................2

2 Receiving Environment ......................................................................................2
2.1 The Natural Landscape ................................................................................2
2.2 The Human Landscape ................................................................................3

3 Research Framework ...........................................................................................7
4 Interim Findings .................................................................................................7
4.1 Excavation Methodology ..............................................................................7
4.2 Full Stratigraphic Report ..............................................................................7
4.3 Radiocarbon results .....................................................................................10
4.4 Plant remains report ....................................................................................11

5 Discussion and Interpretation ............................................................................ 11
6 Assessment of archaeological and significance .................................................... 11
7 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 11
8 Bibliography ...................................................................................................... 12
9 Figures ...............................................................................................................14
10 Plates .................................................................................................................24
11 Appendices ........................................................................................................ 27
11.1 Appendix 1: Matrices ..................................................................................27
11.2 Appendix 2: Context Register .....................................................................30
11.3 Appendix 3: Context Register .....................................................................47
11.4 Appendix 4: Charred plant remains from Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (04E1119) 47
11.5 Appendix 5: Summary account of site archive .............................................48
11.6 Appendix 6: Dissemination Strategy............................................................49
11.7 Appendix 7: Programme Schedule Dates & Deliveries .................................49

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List of Figures
Figure 1: Portion of discovery map showing route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. ...........................14
Figure 2: Portion of RMP sheets CO019 & CO010 showing route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. ..
..............................................................................................................................................15
Figure 3: Portion of 1st edition maps sheets 10 & 19 showing Mitchelstown Demesne and the route of
the N8 Mitchelstown Road. ..................................................................................................................16
Figure 4: Route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of all archaeological sites. .......17
Figure 5: Portion of route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of 04E1119. ...................18
Figure 6: Plan of extent of fulachta fiadh C.3 and C.4. ........................................................................19
Figure 7: Plan of extent of mound C.4. ............................................................................................... 20
Figure 8: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.45 and pits C.8 and C.17...............................21
Figure 9: Plan of extent of mound C.3. ................................................................................................22
Figure 10: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.88 and pit C.80...........................................23

List of Plates
Plate 1: View of trough C.45 and pit C.8 and C.17 from north............................................................ 24
Plate 2: View of stakeholes on northern side of pit C.17 from west....................................................... 24
Plate 3: View of trough C.45 from east. ................................................................................................25
Plate 4: View of area of mound C.3 post-excavation from south-west. ..................................................25
Plate 5: View of section of trough C.88 from east. ................................................................................26
Plate 6: View of pit C.80 and stakeholes C.118-C.122 from southeast. .................................................26

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Project details

Project N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road
Site Name Stagpark 3
Site Type Fulachta Fiadh
Licence No. 04E1119
Ministerial Order No. A012/001
Licensee Bruce Sutton

Townland Stagpark
Nat. Grid Ref. 180275 111397

Report Type Excavation Report
Report Status Final Report

Date of Submission July 2006
Distribution Ken Hanley, Project Archaeologist Cork County Council, Dept. of the En-
vironment, Heritage and Local Government, National Museum of Ireland and Cork Archaeological
Survey Office.

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Non-Technical Summary
This report details the results of an archaeological excavation undertaken by Eachtra Archaeological
Projects of a site on the route of the proposed N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road, on behalf of Cork County
Council. The proposed bypass involves the construction of 4.5km of the N8 from Cloonlough, south
of Mitchelstown, to the junction of the R513 and the N8, north of Mitchelstown.

Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in June, July and Septem-
ber 2004 under licences 04E0889-04E0892 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and
Local Government (DoEHLG). The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test sites of ar-
chaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying and to test for any previously
unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing.

Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites identified within
the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction of the bypass in order to avoid
delays and costs during construction works. This phase of the project was carried out from September-
December 2004 and excavations were conducted by two licensed directors under the management of
a Senior Archaeologist. In total five sites were excavated during this phase of works and all excavations
were carried out initially under separate licences issued by DoEHLG and subsequently under Ministe-
rial Order.

One of these sites, Stagpark 3 is the subject of this report. It was identified in the testing in the town-
land of Stagpark, at chainage 800 of the proposed road scheme and excavated under Licence Number
04E1119 and Ministerial Order Number A012/001. The site comprised two fulachta fiadh.

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1 Introduction
1.1 Site location
This report details the results of the archaeological excavation of a site on N8 Mitchelstown Relief
Road (MRR), County Cork (National Grid Co-ordinates 180275 111397). The site is located c.1 km
to the southwest of Mitchelstown and less than 1km east of the N8 (Figure 1). It is located in the
townland of Stagpark, the Parish of Brigown and barony of Condons and Clangibbon.

1.2 Scope of the Project
This Archaeological Services Project was carried out on behalf of Cork County Council, National
Roads Design Office, Richmond, Glanmire, Co. Cork. This project was funded by the Irish Govern-
ment under the National Development Plan, 2000-2006. The purpose of the Project was to conduct
Archaeological Site Investigations within the lands made available for the scheme and to assess the
nature and extent of any new or potential archaeological sites uncovered.
Phase 1 of the project (archaeological testing of the route) was carried out in June, July and Septem-
ber 2004 under licences 04E0889-04E0892 issued by Department of the Environment Heritage and
Local Government (DoEHLG). The principal aim of this phase of the project was to test sites of ar-
chaeological potential identified in the EIS and geophysical surveying and to test for any previously
unknown sites by a programme of centreline and offset testing.
Phase 2 of the project (resolution) involved the resolution of all archaeological sites identified within
the proposed road corridor prior to commencement of the construction of the bypass in order to avoid
delays and costs during construction works. This phase of the project was carried out from September-
December 2004 and excavations were conducted by two licensed directors under the management of
a Senior Archaeologist. In total five sites were excavated during this phase of works and all excavations
were carried out initially under separate licences issued by DoEHLG and subsequently under Ministe-
rial Order.
Following completion of fieldwork a dissemination strategy was undertaken and submitted to the
project archaeologist. A programme of post-excavation analysis was agreed and commenced. A lecture
on the preliminary findings was given to Mitchelstown Historical Society in May 2005 by the project
and senior archaeologists. It is envisaged that a second lecture will be given to Mitchelstown Historical
Society during their autumn/winter programme 2006-07.

1.3 Circumstances of discovery
Prehistoric archaeological material was discovered at Mitchelstown 2 during archaeological test trench-
ing undertaken in June 2004 under licence 04E0890. Topsoil in the vicinity of the sites was subse-
quently stripped by tracked machine using a flat bucket under the direction of the licensed director.
When the limits of the site had been determined, full excavation of the site commenced under license
04E1119.

1.4 Date and duration of excavation works
The excavation commenced on 13th September 2004 under licence 04E1119. The work was suspended

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on October 14th 2004 as it was necessary to apply for a Ministerial Order under the National Monu-
ments Amendment Act 2004. The Ministerial Order, A012/000, was granted in November 2004 and
excavation recommenced on 29th November 2004 and finished on 8th December 2004 under licence
04E1119 and Ministerial Order A012/001.

1.5 Size and composition of the excavation team
The archaeological excavation team consisted of the licence holder, one supervisor, three site assistants
and one general operative.

2 Receiving Environment
2.1 The Natural Landscape
2.1.1 Geology
The topography of East Cork and Waterford consists of east-west orientated valleys separated by in-
tervening ridges. The ridges consist of sandstones and mudstones of the Devonian Period (Old Red
Sandstone) laid down 355-410 million years ago and the valleys of Carboniferous limestones laid
down 290-355 million years ago. The sediments covering many of the rocks are mainly of glacial origin
deposited by glacial ice or meltwater (Sleeman et al. 1995, 1). Major earth movements have resulted
in the uplifting and folding of the rock units. Anticlines occur when local uplift results in a convex
upward fold. Synclines occur when local uplift results in a concave upward fold (ibid. 3).
The Mitchelstown Syncline is composed of a variety of Carboniferous Formations. Three of these for-
mations are located in the area of the route of the N8 MRR. The Croane Formation is composed of a
mixture of mudstones and cherts and is estimated to be about 300m thick (ibid. 31). The Rathronan
Formation is composed of micrites, wackestones and cherts (ibid. 32). The O’Mahony’s Rock Forma-
tion consists of micrites, packstones, wackestones and grainstones and is estimated to be about 100m
thick. The type area is between Mitchelstown Castle and Killee House to the west (ibid.).

2.1.2 Soils and their uses
The soils to the north of the Gradoge River to the west of Mitchelstown are characterised by a mix
of acid brown earths, gleys and grey brown podzolics, which are derived from mixed sandstone and
limestone glacial till while the underlying rock is Carboniferous limestone. The acid brown earths and
gleys occur in the gently rolling valleys of Cork and Waterford mainly at altitudes of 0-75m (Gardiner
1980, 61). The soils have a wide use range and are suitable for tillage and grass production. The soils to
the south of the Gradoge River are characterized by a mix of gleys and peaty gleys which are derived
from glacial till of mixed sandstone-shale composition with a small admixture of limestone in places.
They occur mostly at altitudes of 76m to 152m. The soils have a limited use range as they are poorly
drained even on good slopes. They are best suited to grassland (ibid. 77-79)

2.1.3 Topography
The route of the N8 Mitchelstown relief road (MRR) traverses the townlands of Cloonlough, Stag



Park and Mitchelstown on the western side of the town of Mitchelstown. The route extends from the
N8 c. 1km south of Mitchelstown, crosses the N73 Mitchelstown/Mallow road, the Gradoge River
Valley and traverses the ridge on the northern side of the river valley to the junction of the R513 Mitch-
elstown/Ballylanders road and rejoins the N8. The northern half of the route traverses Mitchelstown
Demesne, breaching the estate wall at the junction with the N73 and the R513. The southern half of
the route climbs from c. 120m OD to 130m OD before descending to the banks of the Gradoge River,
80m OD and climbing northwards to the apex of the limestone ridge 110m OD.

The land is for the most part under pasture and is located at an altitude of between 80-130m OD.
The landscape of the Mitchelstown area is dominated by the Galtee Mountains to the north, the Bal-
lyhoura Mountains to the west and the Kilworth Mountains (the foothills of the Knockmealdown
Mountains) to the south. The Gradoge River is a tributary of the Funshion River. It rises south of
Mitchelstown on the southern slopes of the Kilworth Mountains and drains into the Funshion to the
immediate west of the route of the N8 MRR. The River Funshion drains into the River Blackwater
south of Kilworth.

The site of Stagpark 3 was located in low-lying pasture to the southeast and downslope of Stagpark 1
(04E1120) and 800m west of the N8.

2.2 The Human Landscape
2.2.1 Archaeological Background
There is a paucity of known archaeological sites within a 2 km radius of the route of the N8 MRR.
Three prehistoric sites, fulachta fiadh (CO019-019, -020,-021) are recorded in Stagpark and Ballykear-
ney between 100-500m of the route corridor. The site of Mitchelstown Castle (CO019-026), the as-
sociated demesne and the historic town of Mitchelstown (CO019-149) are the principle medieval and
post-medieval sites in the vicinity of the route corridor (Figures 2 and 3).

2.2.2 Mesolithic 7000 BC - 4000 BC
The earliest known human settlement in Ireland dates from the Mesolithic period (c. 7000 BC - 4000
BC). In Munster, the majority of the evidence (flint scatters) for Mesolithic occupation has ‘come from
the Blackwater valley in Co. Cork’ (Woodman 1989, 116). Flint scatters were recorded in the townlands
of Ballynamona (CO018-099) and Wallstown (CO018-100) on the northern and southern sides of the
Awbeg river respectively c. 15km to the west of the route of the N8 MRR (Power et. al. 2000, 2).

2.2.3 Neolithic 4000 BC -2500 BC
The Neolithic Period is characterised by the introduction of agriculture and the beginnings of the
clearance of the woodlands. The population increased and became more sedentary in nature. Sub-
stantial Neolithic settlement sites have been recorded at Lough Gur, Co. Limerick and Cloghers, Co.
Kerry. The material culture includes the manufacture of pottery, flint and stone arrowheads, scrapers,



axes etc. The range of monuments types includes Megalithic tombs (court tombs, portal tombs, pas-
sage tombs and wedge tombs), single burial graves and stone circles.
There is a paucity of evidence for Neolithic settlement sites in the south-west of Ireland.
Recent infrastructural development has increased the amount of Neolithic sites in County Cork. The
nearest known Neolithic house was excavated on the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy in the townland of Gor-
tore. The structure was dated to the Early Neolithic cal BC 3928-3655 (UB 6769). Further evidence of
the Neolithic was recorded at Fermoy and Curraghprevin (NRA N8 Rathcormac Fermoy).

2.2.4 Bronze Age 2000 BC -500 BC
The Bronze Age is characterised by the introduction of metallurgy, the mining of copper ores and
manufacture of copper, bronze and gold items. The range of burial site types includes, cist graves,
pit and urn burials, cremation cemeteries, barrows, ring-ditches and wedge tombs. Stone circles and
standing stones also date to the Bronze Age. Both enclosed and unenclosed settlement sites are known.
The most prolific Bronze Age site type is the fulacht fiadh; over 2,000 examples have been recorded in
County Cork alone. These monuments survive as low mounds of charcoal rich black silt packed with
heat-shattered stones and are generally situated close to a water source. In many cases, however, all that
survives to the present day are black spreads with fragments of shattered stones visible in ploughed
fields. Fulachta fiadh are generally classified as ‘cooking places’, whereby stones were heated in a hearth
and subsequently placed in a trough of water, the water continued to boil with the addition of hot
stones and wrapped food was cooked within the hot water. The trough eventually filled with small
stones, ash and charcoal that were removed and formed the basis of the familiar mound. The absence
of animal remains and the scarcity of associated hearths have fuelled the debate in relation to the func-
tion of the sites. Other theories on their interpretation include bathing and dyeing textiles together
with the production of hot water and steam for curative purposes and sweat houses (Kelly 1989, 225).
Waddell (1998, 177) suggests the semi-industrial purpose of using the boiling water for dipping hides
as part of the preparation of the leather, while Dunne (pers. comm.) suggests a relationship between
burnt mounds and Bronze Age funerary rites and burial practices.

There are few wedge tombs or stone circles known from north or east Cork. Two of the exceptions are
wedge tombs located at Labbacallee (CO027-086) and at Manning (CO027-091) both located c. 8 km
south of the N8 MRR. Labbacallee is one of the largest wedge tombs in the country.

The cemetery of Mitchelstowndown West contains 53 small barrows. Four of this group were selected
for excavation by the Discovery Programme (Daly et. al. 1992, 44). The site of the cemetery is located
16 km to the north of the N8 MRR.

Until recently Bronze Age settlement sites were a rarity in North Cork. A Bronze Age occupation site
was recorded underlying the medieval ringfort Lisleagh I (CO027-158) c.3.5km to the south of the N8
MRR (Power et. al. 2000, 210). A house site was excavated at Killydonoghoe on the route of the N8
Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass (NRA N8 Watergrasshill). A large Bronze Age settlement site consist-



ing of four enclosures and three circular houses was excavated in 2003 at Ballybrowney on the route
of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy (Cotter 2005, 38). A Middle Bronze Age settlement site was excavated
in Mitchelstown (04E1072), a complex of Early and Late Bronze Age pits were excavated in Stagpark
(04E1120) and three fulachta fiadh were excavated in Stagpark (04E1121 & 04E1119) on the route of
the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road. In addition a rare and important hoard of Early Bronze Age pottery
was excavated on the banks of the Gradoge River (04E1071).

2.2.5 Iron Age 500 BC – 400 AD
At present, there is little evidence of a significant Iron Age presence in the Cork region. Settlement sites
are few and far between as well as being difficult to identify (Woodman, 2000) while the material cul-
ture of this period is limited. Linear earthworks, which are believed to have marked tribal boundaries,
are one of the most visible monuments of the period.
Three separate stretches of one such boundary, the Claidh Dubh, have been recorded in County Cork.
The longest stretch, c. 24 km extends from the Nagle Mountains, across the Blackwater valley and into
the Ballyhoura Hills. The Claidh Dubh crosses the N73 c. 12km west of the N8 MRR. Radiocarbon
dating following excavation of a section of it revealed it dated to some time before 100AD (Doody
1995, 23).

Three of the five hillfort sites in Cork are located in North Cork (Power et al, 2000, 205). Caherdrinny
is located at the western end of the Kilworth Mountains, c. 3 km to the south of the N8 MRR and
Corrin is located at the eastern end of the Nagle Mountains c. 15 km to the south of the N8 MRR.

A complex of monuments in Conva townland (c. 15 km to the southwest of the N8 MRR) was identi-
fied by aerial photography in the Blackwater Valley. Crop marks indicated three enclosures (CO034-
7201, -7202, -7203) and a number of large pits (CO034-7204) possibly comprising a rectangular
enclosure. The site was investigated in 1992 by Martin Doody of the Discovery Programme which
involved geophysical prospection, topographic survey and trial excavation. Sections were dug through
the three enclosures and through four of the large pits. Metal debris was discovered and radiocarbon
dates indicated that the complex dated to the Iron Age/Early Medieval period.

A complex of pits, dating to the Iron Age, cal BC 346-45 (UB6719) was excavated in Stagpark
(04E1120) on the route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road.

2.2.6 Early Medieval 400 AD – 1000 AD
The Early Medieval Period/Early Christian Period is characterised by the arrival of Christianity to
Ireland. Early ecclesiastical sites are located at Brigown (CO019-030) on the southeastern side of
Mitchelstown and to the west of the N8 MRR at Aghacross (CO019-002), Leabba Molagga and Mar-
shalstown. The monastery of Brigown founded in the 7th century gives its name to the modern parish
(Power 1996, 3).



The characteristic monument type of the period was the ringfort. Ringforts are the most numerous
archaeological monument found in Ireland, with estimates of between 30 and 50,000 illustrated on
the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6” maps of the 1840’s (Barry, 1987). As a result of continued
research these monuments have a narrow date range during the Early Christian period between the 7th
and 9th centuries AD. Although there are some very elaborate examples of ringforts they often take the
form of a simple earth or stone enclosure and functioned as settlements for all classes of secular society
(Stout, 1997). A major research excavation of two ringfort was undertaken at Lisleagh c. 3.5km to the
south of the route of the N8 MRR. Structural, domestic and industrial evidence was recorded at both
sites. A number of stake and wattle round houses, and iron working were recorded in Lisleagh I. Two
phases of occupation were recorded at Lisleagh I. The Lisleagh I was constructed in the early seventh
century and was occupied into the ninth century AD (Monk 1995, 105-116).

2.2.7 Medieval 1000 AD – 1300 AD & Late Medieval 1300 AD -1500 AD
The period is characterized by the arrival of the Anglo-Normans. Mitchelstown was formerly known as
Brigown / Mitchelstown (CO019-149). It was listed as a market town in 1299 and was located on the
southern bank of the Gradoge River, to the east of Mitchelstown Castle (Power, D. et al. 2000, 595).
The town developed under the patronage of the House of Desmond. It passed into the hands of the
Earls of Kingston in the 17th century (Power 1996, 23).
Mitchelstown Castle was located on a limestone ridge on the southern bank of the Gradoge River. The
first settlers, the Anglo-Norman FitzGibbons, held the title of White Knights. Their territory extended
from Mitchelstown to Kilmallock (Power 2000, 1) and they built a tower house on the ridge. The
White Knight lineage ended in the 17th century and the estate passed through marriage into the hands
of the Fenton family (ibid. 3) and ultimately to the Kingstons. The earlier castle was destroyed in the
wars of 1641.

A corn-drying kiln dating to the Later Medieval Period cal AD 1310-1434 (UB 6833) was excavated
in Stagpark 2 (04E1121).

2.2.8 Post-Medieval 1500 AD – 1800 AD
In 1776 Lord Kingsborough, the 2nd earl of Kingston, created the new town of Mitchelstown. He
demolished the old town between Kingston College and the Castle. Kingston College developed into
a Georgian square. The new town was centred between the two parallel main streets of George Street
and Cork Street. King Square and New Market Square became the focal points of the town (ibid.). St
George’s Church, built in 1801, was located at the southern end of George Street and King Square at
the northern end. New Market Square was located midway and on the western side of Cork Street. The
new town was built on 138 acres.

Lord Kingsborough, the second earl of Kingston, built a new mansion on the site of the White Knights
castle and a demesne around the mansion in the 18th century. A demesne wall was constructed around
the parkland of some 1240 acres. The wall was ‘six-and-a-quarter-mile long…between eight and ten feet



in height’ (Power 1996, 24). All public roads that were located within the area of the demesne were
closed and rerouted on the periphery of the wall. Entry to the demesne was gained through Mallow
Gate also known as White Gate, Limerick Gate and the main entrance was at King Square. Extensive
works were undertaken within the area of the demesne which resulted in ‘a quadrangle of buildings, a
garden of five English acres surrounded by a wall, large conservatories and lavishly arranged gardens became
part of the scene. Two artificial lakes were developed beneath the rockface on which the castle stood ’ (ibid.,
24). Several hundred acres of woodland comprising of oak, ash, larch, beech and alder were planted
within the demesne. In 1823 the third earl of Kingston demolished the Georgian house and built a
new castle on the same site. The architects James and George Pain designed and built this neo-Gothic
castellated mansion. The limestone buildings formed three sides of a courtyard (Power 1996, 42).

Mitchelstown Castle was burnt by Republican forces in 1922. The stone was bought by the Cistercian
Monks of Mount Melleray and reused to build a church. Few traces of the castle are visible today. At
present, Dairygold occupies the site of the former castle. The 1240 acres of parkland was divided into
farms, the town park and a golf course.

3 Research Framework
The following issues will be addressed in this report.
 The construction date or date of initial site activity and the date of abandonment.
 The absolute / relative chronology of site use in terms of phases and events.
 The location of known contemporaneous and comparable sites.
 The extent of the viable economic catchment area in terms of sources of water, food, raw materials,
transportation routes etc

4 Interim Findings
4.1 Excavation Methodology
A total area of 32m N-S by 32m E-W were excavated under license 04E1119 at Stagpark 3 (figure
5) (Grid coordinates 180182, 113286). A grid was established and the ground within the grid was
cleaned by hand to locate and identify all archaeological features. Each identified feature was exca-
vated, planned, photographed and recorded, with every fill and cut being assigned a context number.
Charcoal and soil samples were taken from appropriate fills where necessary. All artefacts were re-
trieved, registered, bagged and labelled.

4.2 Full Stratigraphic Report
See Appendix 1 for the full stratigraphic matrix.

4.2.1 Stratigraphic Sequencing
4.2.1.1 Bronze Age
The archaeology at Stagpark 3 consisted of two separate fulachta fiadh distanced by less than 6m (Fig-



ure 6). The burnt mound C.4 located in the southeast area of the site measured 19.2m by 15.4m and
was the larger of the two. It was composed of grey-black clay silt and included frequent heat-shattered
sandstone. The mound was very shallow being on average 0.1m-0.2m in depth. In total 33 stakeholes,
three postholes, two pits (C8 and C.17) and a rectangular trough C.45 were located beneath the burnt
mound C.4 (Figure 7, plate 1).

Pit C.17 measured 4.15m by 1.45m by 0.57m deep and was roughly orientated northwest-southeast. It
contained four fills (C.13, C.14, C.15 and C.16) and was truncated by the pit C.8. Although C.17 was
located under burnt mound material C.4, the in-filled material contained no burnt stone inclusions,
suggesting it had in-filled prior to the build-up of the mound. C.8 measured 1.9m by 1.55m by 0.35m
and contained three fills (C.9, C.12 and C.18) with burnt stone inclusions. Pit C.17 was surrounded
by 25 stakeholes (C.11, C.49, C.53, C.51, C.33, C.34, C.41, C.63, C.60, C.141, C.39, C.103, C.102,
C.37, C.31, C.101, C.100, C.27, C.25, C.29, C.35, C.58, C.62, C.65 and C.67) and three postholes
(C.20, C.23 and C.71), all of which contained single fills (Figure 8, Plate 2). The majority of the stake-
holes and postholes were located to the southwest and northeast of C.17, placing them along the sides
of the pit. Only seven of the features (C.60, C.62, C.11, C.49, C.20, C.23 and C.67) were located
at the northwestern and southeastern ends. Charcoal from the fill of stakehole C.51 was identified as
hazel and/or alder. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 2122-1828 (UB-6718) was returned from charcoal
from the stakehole.
The stakeholes surrounding the pit did not form any discernible pattern or structure; it is likely that
they formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture, open to the northwest, associated with the pit.

The trough C.45 was located under the northern portion of the mound C.4, c. 2.3m north of the pit
C.17. It was rectangular in shape and measured 2.02m by 1.45m by 0.65m deep (Figure 8, Plate 3).
It contained four fills (C.42, C.43, C.44 and C.87), the main peat fill (C.44) accumulated after the
abandonment of the area. The basal fill (C.87) was the remains of a waterlogged and badly degraded
piece of timber, which lay flat in the base and was possibly the remains of a lining. Eight stakeholes
(C.90, C.92, C.127 C.129, C.128, C.130, C131 and C.132) were located in the corners of the trough.
These all contained similar grey-black silty sand fills which suggested the timber posts had degraded in
situ. The presence of the stakeholes further confirms that the trough may have been timber lined.

The mound C.3 was located c. 6m to the northwest of mound C.4 (Figure 6). It measured 15.4m by
14m, making it the smaller of the two mounds. It was composed of grey-black clay silt and included
frequent heat-shattered sandstone. The mound was very shallow being 0.1m-0.2m deep on average.
The charcoal was identified as hazel and/or alder. A radiocarbon date of cal BC 2023-1773 (UB-6744)
was returned from charcoal from the mound. The mound covered a trough, C.88 and two large pits
C.80, C.110 and C.115, two small pits C.110 and C.74 and a number of stakeholes (Figure 9, plate
4).

The trough C.88 measured 2.75m by 2m by 0.8m in depth. It contained six fills (C.133, C.134, C.135,



C.136, C.137, C.138 and C.139) (Figure 10, Plate 5). The fills were a mix of sand and silty clays. The
upper fill C.133 and fill C.136 included 50% heat-shattered stone. The basal fills were sandy. Six
stakeholes (C.148, C.150, C.152, C.154, C.156, C.158) were recorded on the edge of the trough and
four (C. 81, C.85, C.142, C.146) on the western perimeter. The largest of the stakeholes (C.156) mea-
sured 0.13m by 0.1m by 0.24m in depth. The smallest stakehole (C.148) measured 0.07m by 0.09m
by 0.02m in depth. The stakeholes within the trough were located, with the exception of C.158, to the
northern section of the trough. The stakeholes on the perimeter were confined to the western edge. The
stakeholes may have formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture, open to the east.

The pit C.80 was located c.1.9m south-west of trough C.88 (Figure 10). It was truncated by a field
drain on the southeastern side. It was rectangular in plan and measured 1.3m by 1.1m by 0.3m. Four
fills (C.79, C.93, C.94 and C.95) were recorded in the pit. The fills were silty and clay sands with
inclusions of heat-shattered stone. The basal fill C.95 was coarse sand. Five stakeholes (C.118, C.119,
C.120, C.121 and C.122) were located on the northern and western edges of the pit (Plate 6). They
were located within 0.2m-0.25m of each other. They measured on average 0.06m by 0.05 and varied
in depth from 0.05m-0.12m. The stakeholes may have formed a windbreak, spit or fire-side furniture,
and in a manner similar to those associated with the trough C.88 the apparatus was open to the east.

The pit C.115 was located 5.5m west of trough C.88. It was rectangular in plan and measured 2.6m
by 1.1m by 0.35m in depth. The single clay silt fill included heat-shattered stones. The pit truncated a
posthole C.117 to the west. It measured 0.35m in diameter by 0.3m in depth.

An semi-circular arc of three pits (C.68, C.74 and C.110) three postholes (C.75, C.113 and C.125) and
five stakeholes (C.105, C.106, C.107, C.108 and C.109) were located c. 3.6m northeast of pit C.115
and c. 2.5m northwest of trough C.88. The arc measured c. 6m and the possible entrance was to the
southwest. The pits varied in size, the smaller two (C.68 and C.74) measured 0.48m by 0.4m and 0.32
by 0.31m respectively. The larger pit C.110 measured 1m by 0.5m. All of the pits were shallow being
c. 0.2m in depth. The smaller postholes (C.113 and C.125) measured c. 0.18m in diameter by 0.2m in
depth. The larger C.75 was cut by the pit C.74 to the east. The stakeholes measured on average 0.14m
by 0.13m and varied in depth from 0.1m-0.15m. All of the features were filled with a grey-black silty
clay with inclusions of pebbles and occasional charcoal.

A large cut C.5 was located on the northern edge of the area of excavation. It measured 5.5m by 3m
by a minimum of 1.4m in depth. The full depth of the cut could not be realised as it kept filling with
rising water. It extended beyond the area of the excavation to the north. It is possible that the cut
maybe a pit or the terminal of a ditch. The upper fill was a silty clay, similar to the natural sub-soil, the
underlying fill was a peat deposit and the basal fill was a silty sand with inclusions of heat-shattered
stone. It is possible that the feature is associated with modern drainage features.



4.2.2 Stratigraphic Discussion
Two fulachta fiadh were located within 5m of one another at Stagpark. The monuments survive as very
low mounds of black silt with inclusions of heat-shattered stones and are
generally situated close to a water source. No water source was recorded within the field and no water
source is indicated on the 1st edition OS map sheet CO019. The underlying clay subsoil is impermeable
and land drains were recorded in the field. Each of the two mounds overlay a trough, pits, postholes
and stakeholes. No evidence of a hearth was recorded. No stratigraphic evidence was recorded to sug-
gest which of the mounds and associated features predated the other or if they were in use simultane-
ously. The radiocarbon dates returned for the sites would suggest that the mound C.4, in the southeast,
predated the mound C.3 to the northwest.

The mound C.4 overlay a pit and a rectangular trough. 25 stakeholes were located on the perimeter
of the pit C.17. The stakeholes are likely to have formed a temporary structure in the vicinity of the
pit. This may have been used for shelter or may have been linked to a structure associated with the pit.
The trough was probably timber lined as stakeholes recorded in the corners of the rectangular trough
would have formed part of the structure of a timber lining. The basal fills of the trough were sandy
and may have accumulated from deposition of sand from the repeated use of heated sandstone in the
trough.

The mound C.3 overlay a trough, 2 large pits and a possible wooden structure. The trough was deeper
than either of the large pits. A number of stakeholes were recorded on the upper side of the northern
portion of the trough C.88 but there was no evidence to suggest that the trough was timber lined.
Stakeholes in a similar and compatible position were recorded on the upper side of pit C.80. These
stakeholes may have been linked to a similar structure associated with the trough and pit. A possible
semi-circular structure was located to the northwest of the trough. The structure would have been
constructed of wooden stakes with the entrance to the southwest. Alternatively the structure may have
formed a shelter belt for the pit C.115 to the southwest.

4.3 Radiocarbon results
Radiocarbon dates were returned from the Radiocarbon Laboratory at Queens University Belfast. The
two Early Bronze Age dates returned from Queens were accelerator dates obtained from samples of
charcoal.

Table 1
Lab. Code Sample Mate- Context No. Yrs BP Calibrated Dates
rial
2 sigma
UB-6744 Charcoal 3 3561+/-38 cal BC 2023-1773
UB-6718 Charcoal 50 3599+/-38 cal BC 2122-1828



4.4 Plant remains report
The plant remains were examined by A. Brewer and P. Johnston (Appendix 4). Although all the sam-
ples contained charcoal no charred seeds were recovered from the site. Charred seeds are consistently
absent from burnt mound deposits.

5 Discussion and Interpretation
The site occurs within an area where a cluster of Bronze Age fulachta fiadh sites have been identified.
Three burnt mounds were recorded (CO019-019, -020 and -021) within 500m of the site, while two
other burnt mounds were excavated as part of this road project; Stagpark 2 (04E1121) was 800m away
to the north and Mitchelstown 2 (04E1071) was 2km to the north. The intense use of this small area
for the purposes of heating stones and water has produced a date range that suggests occupation on
a long-term, if perhaps intermittent basis from at least the Early Bronze Age. The lower heavier wet-
ter ground in the area was used for sites such as these. With the exception of the burnt mound at
Mitchelstown 2, which was located on the northern bank of the Gradoge River, the remaining burnt
mounds are not located adjacent to any known or contemporary water sources. The underlying subsoil
is however a heavy clay which holds water very effectively being almost impermeable. The archaeo-
logical evidence indicates that contemporary Early Bronze Age occupation occurred on the higher
drier ground, at Stagpark 1 (04E1120) 600m to the north. An extensive occupation site, dating to the
Middle Bronze Age, was located on a limestone ridge on the northern bank of the Gradoge River at
Mitchelstown 1 (04E1072) 2.8km to the north.

6 Assessment of archaeological and significance
Viewed in tandem with the archaeological evidence from all of the sites on the route of the Mitch-
elstown Relief Road, the site at Stagpark 3 is of archaeological significance as it provides additional
evidence of Bronze Age activity in the Mitchelstown area.

7 Conclusion
The fulachta fiadh at Stagpark 3 was contemporaneous with the Early Bronze Age activity at Stagpark
1 (04E1120) and with the ritual deposition of three pottery vessels on the northern bank of the Gra-
doge River at Mitchelstown 2 (04E1071).



8 Bibliography
Barry, T.B. 1987 The Archaeology of Medieval Ireland, Routledge, London and New York.

Cotter, E. (2005) Bronze Age Ballybrowney County Cork in Recent Archaeological Discoveries on
National Road Schemes 2004 NRA.

Doody, M. (1995) The Clight Dubh in Discovery Programme Reports 2 Project Results 1993. Royal Irish
Academy / Discovery Programme Dublin 1995.

Doody, M. (1999), ‘Ballyhoura Hills project’, Discovery Programme Reports 5, 97-110. Royal Irish
Academy. Dublin.

Daly, A., Grogan, E. (1992) Excavation of Four Barrows in Mitchelstowndown West, Knocklong,
County Limerick. Discovery Programme Reports 1 pp44-60. Royal Irish Academy.

Gardiner, M.J., Radford, T. 1980 Soil Associations of Ireland and Their Land Use Potential. An Foras
Talúntais.

Kelly, M. (1989) Early Ireland, An Introduction to Irish Prehistory. Cambridge University Press.

Monk, M. (1995) A Tale of Two Ringforts: Lisleagh I and II in Journal of the Cork Historical and
Archaeological Society Vol. 100

Power, B (1996) From the Danes to Dairygold A History of Mitchelstown. Mount Cashell Books.

Power , B. 2000 White Knights, Dark Earls The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Irish Dynasty. The Collins
Press.

Power, D., Lane, S., Egan, U., Byrne, E., Egan, U., Sleeman, M., with Cotter, E., Monk, J. (2000)
Archaeological Inventory of County Cork Volume 4: North Cork Parts 1 and 2. The Stationery
Office.

Sleeman, D.G., McConnell, B. 1995 Geology of East Cork-Waterford Geological Survey of Ireland.

NRA Archaeological Discoveries N8 Watergrasshill Bypass.

NRA Archaeological Discoveries N8 Rathcormac Fermoy.

Stout, M. (2000) The Irish Ringfort Four Courts Press Dublin.

Waddell, J. (1998) The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland. Galway University Press.

Woodman, P.C. (1989) ‘The mesolithic in Munster: a preliminary assessment’, in Bonsall, C (ed), The
Mesolithic in Europe, 116-24. John Donald. Edinburgh.



Woodman, P.C. (2000) ‘Hammers and Shoeboxes: New Agendas for Prehistory’ in New Agendas in Irish
Prehistory. Papers in commemoration of Liz Anderson. Wordwell, 1-10.



9 Figures

Figure 1: Portion of discovery map showing route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road.



Legend
Bronze Age

Medieval

Post-medieval
04E1072
Mitchelstown 1

04E1071
Mitchelstown 2

04E1121
Stagpark 2

04E1120
Stagpark 1

04E1119
Spagpark 3

Figure 2: Portion of RMP sheets CO019 & CO010 showing route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief
Road.



ell
W
ay
nd
Su
Well Field

Yeomens Field

A
Ballyarthur Field

Parkanimrish

Clyroe Field
B
Glen Field
C Limekiln Field
Donnellys Field

D Laknock Field

Sandpit Field Deer Park
Garrane Warren Field
New Orchard Park

G ond
Fishp

High Field Mitchelstown Castle

I
Brick Field
E

H
Milk Field

Turnpike Field F J

Reference
Extent of Mitchelstown Demense
Line of N8, Mitchelstown Relief Road
A Barrett's Grove
B Old Pheasantry
C Farm Yard
D Kiltaunave Old Grave Yard
E Carriganoura Wood
F Whitegate Grove
G Orchard Grove
H Troopers Lough
I Site of Church & Graveyard
J Parkaphuca

Figure 3: Portion of 1st edition maps sheets 10 & 19 showing Mitchelstown Demesne and the
route of the N8 Mitchelstown Road.



Area A
Area B

Figure 4: Route of the N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of all archaeological sites.



Figure 5: Portion of route of N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road showing location of 04E1119.



X = 180277
Y = 111401

129
130 128
92

131

45 127

90

132

39
141 103

60 31
102 37

101
8 100
27

25
63

58
41
34
17
35
33 53 71 11
51
49 20

23

X = 180277
Y = 111381

Extent of
mound C.4

1m 0 5m

Figure 6: Plan of extent of mound C.4.



129 N
128

130
A1
92
131
A
45 127

90

132

39
103
141

102 31
60 37

B1
101
8 100
27

25

63
41
98 33
55
34
17
53
51 71 B
11
49
20

23

A A1 B B1
13 9
14 12
42 15 18
16 8
43
43 17
45

50 cm 0 1m

Figure 7: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.45 and pits C.8 and C.17.



Figure 8: Plan of extent of mound C.3.



05,29

N

A
85
81
152

154 150
156 148

158

88
142

146

A1

05,20 84

122
121
B1 120
80
119

118 B

A A1

133
B B1
134 135
93 79 95 136
137 138
94 139
80
88

50 cm 0 1m

Figure 9: Post-excavation plan and sections of trough C.88 and pit C.80.



10 Plates

Plate 1: View of trough C.45 and pit C.8 and C.17 from north.

Plate 2: View of stakeholes on northern side
of pit C.17 from west.



Plate 3: View of trough C.45 from east.

Plate 4: View of area of mound C.3 post-
excavation from south-west.



Plate 5: View of section of trough C.88 from east.

Plate 6: View of pit C.80 and stakeholes C.118-C.122 from southeast.



11 Appendices
11.1 Appendix 1: Matrices

1

47

46

4

9 10 19 22 24 26 28 30 32 36

12 11 20 23 25 27 29 31 37
33 34 35
18

21

8

13

14

15

16

17

2



140

141
103
102
99

101
100
70

71
66

67
64

65
61

62
47

46
1

4

2
59

60
63
57

58
52

53
50

51
48

49
40

41
38

39



1

97

3

69 72 81 83 85 93 116 124

68 74 82 84 86 79 115 125

73 95 112 111

75 94 117 114

123
113 110

118 119 120 121 122

80

2

1

97

3 133

104 134

135
105 106 107 108 109
136

137

139

159 157 155 153 151 149

158 156 154 152 150 148

88

2

1

44 54 143 147

42 55 142 146

43 56

87 5

89 91 126

90 92
127 128 129 130 131 132

45

2


04E1119

11.2 Appendix 2: Context Register

Context # Grid Fill of Filled with Above Below Basic Interpretation Phase Basic description Artefacts
1 All All Topsoil 4 Loose brown silty clay topsoil with
occasional stone inclusions 0.35m
deep
2 All All Natural 1 Firm light grey/white clayey silt
with orange mottling and frequent
stone inclusions
3 NW corner Number given to material from smaller 2 Loose dark grey/black clayey silt
of site northwestern burnt mound. Shal- with frequent heat shattered stone
low nature of the mound compared inclusions. 15.4m x 14m
to trough size would indicate that the
mound was originally more substantial
4 E side of site Number given to material from the 2 Loose black clayey silt with frequent

Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
larger southeastern burnt mound. Shal- inclusions of heat shattered stone.
Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road

low nature of the mound compared 19.2m x 15.4m
to trough size would indicate that the
mound was originally more substantial
5 5E25N 54,55,56 2 56 Large pit in edge of excavation. The ? Sub-circular pit 5.5m x 3m x 1.4m
upper fills appeared to be modern but with gradual break of slope top and
the lower ones were of rich black burnt concave and convex sides
mound material. Wet conditions and
rising water level meant that feature
could not be fully excavated. No finds
recovered and unsure as to date of pit
6 Cancelled context
7 Cancelled context
8 20E9N 9,12,18 13 21 Pit containing heat shattered stone 2 Sub-circular pit 1.9m x 1.55m x
that cuts through earlier pit C.17. Was 0.35m deep with sharp break of
located under the mound, suggesting slope top, steep sides, sharp break of
two phases of site use. slope base and flat base.
9 20E9N 8 12 4 Fill of later pit cut C.8. Contains heat 2 Loose black clayey silt with frequent
shattered stone inclusions of charcoal and heat shat-
tered stone.
10 20E9N 11 11 4 Stakehole fill, no stake present so 2 Firm dark brownish grey sandy clay
removed prior to infilling with frequent charcoal inclusions

29
ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

04E1119

Context # Grid Fill of Filled with Above Below Basic Interpretation Phase Basic description Artefacts
11 20E9N 10 2 10 One of a number of stake and post 2 Circular stakehole 0.08m x 0.07m
holes surrounding intercutting pits C. with sharp break of slope top,
8 and C.17 straight/concave sides, gradual
break of slope base and rounded
base
12 20E9N 8 18 9 Re-deposited natural fill of pit C.8 2 Moderately compact orange/brown
sandy clay with moderate small
stone inclusions 1.1m x 0.85m x
0.25m deep
13 20E9N 17 14 8 Truncated fill of C.17 2 Soft mid grey silty clay with oc-
casional charcoal fleck inclusions.
0.81m x 0.71m x 0.16m deep
14 20E9N 17 15 13 Truncated fill of C.17 2 Compact yellowish orange clay with
occasional small stone inclusions.

Permalink: http://eachtra.ie/index.php/journal/04e1119-stagpark3/
0.84m x 0.72m x 0.24m deep
Stagpark 3, Co. Cork - N8 Mitchelstown Relief Road

15 20E9N 17 16 14 Truncated fill of C.17 2 Soft dark grey clayey silt with oc-
casional small stone and charcoal
inclusions. 0.93m x 0.84m x 0.14m
deep
16 20E9N 17 17 16 Truncated fill of C.17 2 Soft yellowish orange sandy clay
with occasional pebble inclusions.
0.3m x 0.09m deep
17 20E9N 13, 14, 15, 16 2 16 Cut of large domestic pit, or possible 2 Sub-rectangular in shape, 4.15m
earlier phase trough. Infilled prior to x 1.45m x 0.57m deep with sharp
the build up of mound material as no break of slope top, vertical sides,
heat shattered stone is present in the sharp break of slope base and flat
fill. base
18 20E9N 8 21 9 Fill of later pit cut C.8. 2 Loose black clayey silt with frequent
charcoal and small to medium stone
inclusions 1.75m x 1.1m x 0.32m
deep
19 20E9N 20 20 4 Charcoal rich posthole fill 2 Firm dark grey/black sandy silt
with moderate stone and frequent
charcoal inclusions

30
ISSUE 10: Eachtra Journal - ISSN 2009-2237

Archaeological Report - Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)

Archaeological Report - Stagpark 3, Co. Cork (Ireland)

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