What is recorded here

Under the northeast soil of the Lisleagh ringfort, a narrow D-shaped pit slopes downward into darkness, holding charred deposits and an unusual bronze buckle from around 890 AD. Its shape echoes passage entrances at Lisnagun, suggesting people cut or deepened a hidden route rather than digging a simple bin. Someone may have crawled through that stony void at night, carrying fire or fear into the earth beneath the ancient fort.

In NE quadrant of ringfort (CO027-029---, Lisleagh I). Excavations by M. Monk 1981-5 (Monk 1995, 105-116) revealed D-shaped pit (min. 0.9m E-W; c. 0.57m N-S exposed; D 0.6m) extending beyond N edge of excavated area; W side truncated by possible post hole. Stony, voided fills within pit sloped downwards into edge of excavated area; unusual bronze buckle recovered; charred deposits from fill produced C14 date centering on 890 AD. Subsequent resistivity survey immediately N of excavated area suggested presence of large, disturbed hollow feature. Shape of feature and nature of fill suggested similarity with Man-made underground passage entrances at Lisnagun (1407) in West Cork (pers. comm. J. O'Sullivan). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). 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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