Furnace in Oxpark

Situated in gently undulating pastureland on a natural rise of ground, 500m N of Cloghjordan House (TN016-001003-) and the historic village of Cloghjordan (TN016-001----). Geophysical survey carried out under licence No. 06R020 in this field in 2006 identified anomalies in Areas 13 and 14 which required archaeological test trenching. Subsequent archaeological test trenching of these anomalies by Emer Dennehy on behalf of Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd. in 2006 under licence number 06E0257 confirmed the remains of an industrial site, possibly the remains of a post-medieval blast furnace (Dennehy 2009, 490). The monument survives in situ. The test excavation results were summarised by Dennehy (2009, 490) as following; 'The proposed development at Cloughjordan comprises a 67-acre site within which a ‘sustainable village’ is to be constructed. A total of 133 mixed residential units will be constructed on the southern twenty acres of the site and 30% of the development site will be used for woodlands with the remaining 40% used for agricultural activity. The site is in a rich archaeological and historical environment, with the three RMP sites located within or adjacent to the development. These sites, namely the moated site (TN011–028----) and Cloughjordan Castle (TN016–001----), attest the Anglo-Norman occupation of the area. The enclosure site [TN011-029----], though levelled, is illustrated on cartographic sources and was perceived to be medieval in date. However, a late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age ring-barrow (TN011-038---) was identified immediately adjacent to the enclosure and now suggests the enclosure could be prehistoric. Initial investigations involved a detailed geophysical survey (06R020) and this was followed by an archaeological impact assessment targeting known and suspected areas of archaeological activity. A total of 2184 linear metres of trenches were opened, identifying five archaeological sites that would be impacted upon by the development. The area of the enclosure was excluded from the testing programme. The five sites identified were two fulachta fiadh (Sites 1 and 2), 1 burnt spread (Site 3), a post-medieval blast furnace (possible) (Site 4) and a ring-barrow (Site 5). Sites 4 and 5 were excluded from the development and are to be preserved in situ. Sites 1–3 were excavated over a four-week period in June/July 2006'. The text excavation was described Denney (2006, 12-13) as following; ‘Archaeological test trench 1 was situated parallel to and at a distance of 10m from the Walled Garden of Cloghjordan House. It tested anomalies identified in Areas 13 and 14 of the geophysical survey. The trench was linear in plan with four perpendicular off-sets. A total of 212 linear meters were opened at an average width of 2m. The subsoil had an average depth of 0.3m but increased to 0.6m towards the northwest. Archaeological stratigraphy was identified in the southeast portion of the trench. It occurred in the form of a U-shaped curvilinear ditch with a rounded terminal. The orientation of the ditch would appear to indicate that it originates within the walls of Cloghjordan House. The ditch measured 3.5m in width by 1.4m in depth and was in-filled with irregular and rounded limestones varying between 0.2-0.4m in length. The fill contained a high proportion of animal bone (approx 25%) in additional to occasional pieces of red brick, slate and portions of 19th century bottle fragments. The northeast terminal of the ditch was lined with limestone walling and oxidised clay indicative of in situ burning. The stratigraphy of the ditch would indicate it was infilled in a single continuous act, with the material included in the fill i.e. animal bone and other debris, suggesting it was derived from rubbish deposits. The wall lining of the ditch terminal is unusual, with the presence of such a large deposit of oxidised clay indicating an episode if intense burning and suggesting the original presence of organic material such as fencing at this location. The stone content of the ditch and its homogenous nature would appear to indicate that it was used as sump or drain for the surrounding land. However, it's morphology and wall lined terminal would suggest a more complex and earlier origin for the feature supported by its proximity to Cloghjordan House. It is possible that the 'ditch' is an in-filled flue of a post-medieval industrial site such as a blast furnace or a bakehouse’. See attached images showing location of industrial site, taken from Dennehy 2006. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 6 May 2020