Fulacht fia in Killeens (cork By.) — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Three fulachta fiadha still mark the marshy east bank of a Cork stream, but the largest hid its purpose inside an overgrown mound until O'Kelly cut through it in 1953. The excavation exposed a long oak trough set in a pit, with stone hearths at either end and a second trough added at the southwest end after a brief pause. People may have heated water there for cooking, cleaning or ritual, then pulled the timber away and let the marsh swallow the work.

In marshy ground, on E side of stream; one of a group of three fulachta fiadha (CO074-00402-; CO074-00403-). Excavated in 1953 by O'Kelly (1954, 127-135); distinguishable prior to excavation as overgrown mound (diam. 15m; H 0.85m). Excavation revealed two phases of use. Phase 1 characterised by pit (L 5m; Wth 1m; D 0.31m; long axis NE-SW) containing 'dug-out' oak trough (L 4m; Wth 0.55m; T 0.15m) only bottom portion of which was well preserved. Packing of small boulders between trough and sides of pit. Principal hearth at NE end of trough: rough arc of stones (L 1.5m; Wth 1m) with paved floor. Second hearth near NW corner of trough. Phase 2 characterized by second trough at SW end of phase 1 trough, according to the excavatator constructed after 'an interval of probably no more than one years duration'. Four corner stakes of oak (L 0.4m) remained in position; excavator suggests other wood was probably intentionally removed on abandonment of trough. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 2: East and South Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1994). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

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