Kiln — corn-drying in Barnahely

The remains of a keyhole-shaped kiln was identified during archaeological testing in 2004 as part of a pre-development assessment of a potential factory site. An anomaly, identified by geophysical survey, was investigated in this area, c. 10m to the WSW of a rath (CO087-048----). It comprised a circular charcoal-enriched deposit (diam. 1.5m) and appeared to be lined with a number of stones. This was interpreted as the bowl of a kiln that had been cut into the natural subsoil. According to Cummins (2007, 45) a narrow deposit of charcoal-enriched soil which extended to the W appeared to be the fill of a flue. The kiln was preserved in situ pending further developments in the area. Its proximity to the rath suggests an early medieval date but archaeological excavation is necessary to confirm this. A possible corn-drying kiln (CO087-156----) was identified c. 8 to the N of this kiln. A burnt spread (CO087-145----) was also found c. 40m to the N. (Cummins 2005; 2007, 45) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009