Kiln — corn-drying in Kilferagh

In undulating terrain, c. 1.1km W of the River Nore, under tillage. In Kilferagh, an area c.10-12m N-S by 25m E-W was excavated during the archaeological excavations on the Cork-Dublin gas pipeline (1981-2) (Hurley 1987, 88-100). This area uncovered two roughly parallel ditches running NNW-SSE between 1- 2.5m apart, the wider W ditch (L c. 11m) curving slightly to the N and continuing beyond the edge of the excavation, while the other, to the E (L 0.9m), appears to terminate within the cutting. A corn-drying kiln (KK023-024002-) was located 3.9m W of the wider ditch with an associated yard and hearth. The scant remains of possible stone wall foundations c. 4m NW of the kiln suggested the presence of a house (KK023-024003-), while the N end of a structure (KK023-024004-), 1m SSE of the kiln, was tentatively interpreted as a barn (ibid. 89-93). Associated with the ditches and all the structures was medieval pottery of late 13th/early 14th-century date (ibid. 93-4). The settlement appears to have gone out of use by the late 14th or early 15th century when it was backfilled (ibid. 93). Though the area excavated was very limited, the presence of several structures in close proximity to the inner, wider ditch suggested that this ditch may have been the fosse of, ‘an enclosed manorial farmstead’ or moated site (KK023-024001-) (ibid. 96). The kiln is described in the excavation report as having consisted of, ‘a circular bowl with outwardly battered sides and a straight flue built of slabs and dry-stone walling. A stone built platform surrounded the kiln. The stones were loosely set and sloped upwards towards the kiln on three sides. The western side consisted of a stone façade. At this side the mouth of the flue opened into the yard. The pit in which the kiln was set was 5m N-S by 4m E-W. This pit had been excavated to a maximum depth of 80cm into the boulder clay. The stone platform surrounding the kiln stabilised the structure and had the added advantage of providing good drainage for the kiln floor. The platform measured 4m N-S by 3.60m E-W. The surface of the stone platform was covered by a layer of hard packed clay. The corn-drying floor was probably flush with this trampled surface. The grain could easily be carried from the kiln to the adjacent barn. A number of sherds of pottery were found among the stones of the platform. The sherds were obviously incorporated into the structure during the building. They suggest a late 13th century date for the kiln. The bowl of the kiln was circular, 1.12m in diameter at the top and tapered to 80cm at the base. It was built of closely set dry-stone walling which stood to about 6 courses or to a height of c. 1.60m. The bowl was probably a few courses higher originally…The bowl and flue contained charcoal and charred cereal remains. The flue extended for 2.20m from the western side of the bowl. The long axis of the flue was aligned E-W. The sides were faced with stone slabs set on their narrow ends. The spaces between the slabs were filled with dry-stone walling. The flue was c. 60cm wide and 1.50m high. At this level it was probably covered with stone slabs…The boulder clay floor of the flue was oxidised to a depth of 5cm to 10cm…The western side of the kiln platform was faced with a well built dry-stone façade. This dry-stone walling was 2-3 courses and stood to a height of 45cm. The façade was 4.40m long and was bisected by the mouth of the flue’ (ibid. 90). Associated with the corn-drying kiln was a sunken area which extended for 3.9m W of the kiln and which was interpreted as a yard. According to the excavation report, ‘This yard was cut into the boulder clay to a depth of 45-50cm. The western side of the yard was only 30cm below the boulder clay level. The yard was used as a stoking area for the kiln and as a dump for the burnt rakings from the flue…In the north western part of the yard was a depression of 1.35m in diameter. This contained a large amount of charcoal of ash and blackthorn. The depression may have been used as a hearth from which burning embers were carried to the flue’ (ibid. 91). See attached: KK023-024002-_01 Plan of excavation from Hurley 1987, Fig. 17.2 KK023-024002-_02 Plan and sections of corn-drying kiln from Hurley 1987, Fig. 17.4 Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 27 July 2021