Fulacht fia in Killalough

In pasture, 13m W of a stream at the base of a steep-sided glen. This fulacht fia was excavated in 2000 in advance of the N8 Glanmire-Watergrasshill Bypass. Prior to excavation, it was described as a low grass-covered mound (c. 20m x c. 20m) of heat-shattered stones and charcoal-enriched soil. Excavation revealed that the mound (c. 27m N-S; 19m E-W; max. D 1m) covered a hearth. The hearth consisted of 2-3 courses of a low stone wall enclosing a horseshoe-shaped area (2.3m E-W; 1.5m N-S) with its opening facing E. A post-hole marked each terminal of the wall. A trough was found immediately to the E of the hearth. It consisted of a pit (min. 4.6m E-W; c. 1.2m N-S; D 0.25-0.65m), the E side of which was truncated by modern drainage works. Both the N and S sides of the pit were lined with rubble stone walling, much of which had collapsed. In the pit was found the remains of an oak trough (min. L 3m; Wth 0.7m; D 0.2m) formed by splitting an oak tree longitudinally and then hollowing out one half in a similar fashion to a dugout canoe. Two grooves cut on the underside of the trough, at its W end, were interpreted by the excavator as attachments for ropes to facilitate movement of the trough. Dendrochronological analysis of the trough estimated a felling date range for the tree of 1535±9 BC. A sample of charcoal from within the hearth yielded a calibrated radiocarbon date of 1409 BC. The slightly earlier date for the trough suggests that it may have been reused. A second fulacht fia (CO064-152001-) c. 30m to the SE on the E side of the stream was also excavated. (Cotter 2002b, 48-9; 2005d) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009