Kiln in Farrankelly

Kiln in area 2C was excavated in 2020 under licence 17E0292 by Muireann Ní Cheallacháin for IAC Archaeology during construction phase of residential development by Cairn Homes PLC. Excavation was carried out in Area 2C following the identification of crop marks within the southwest corner of the proposed development a geophysical survey was carried out by Joanna Leigh in 2015 (Licence 15R0124). Detailed gradiometer survey in this area identified two clear circular ditch-type responses, correlating with the location of several curving crop marks, measuring c. 11.25m and 12.25m in diameter and several other responses of potential interest. The circular ditches appear to be contained within a larger ill-defined circular feature (possible enclosure). Following on from the geophysical survey, a programme of testing was undertaken in 2017 by Rob Lynch and Enda Lydon of IAC under licence no. 17E0292 (Lynch and Lydon 2017). Three areas of archaeology were identified in the testing assessment (Archaeological Areas 1–3). Monument consisted of 'a crescent shaped kiln located in the centre of Area 2C c. 4.5m south of the burial ground [WI013-133----], with a potential fire chamber, drying chamber and flue identified. The fire chamber which measured approximately 1.2m x 1.0m was stone-lined with a combination of rectangular and flat heat-affected stones, and while some had become dislodged, there remained some in situ. A mix of greyish-white and red sand and clay filled the fire chamber with evidence of in-situ burning along the sides. The flue extended for c. 1.9m to the east from the fire chamber and contained a basal fill of fairly compact sandy silt with occasional small stone, and an upper fill (which also extended into the fire chamber) of fairly loose silt with abundant charcoal inclusions. A drying chamber of similar size was identified at the southeast end of the kiln filled by very loose black sand containing frequent charcoal, slag and fire-cracked stone, and a layer of burnt charcoal-rich silty sand. An upper fill of friable silt with moderate charcoal inclusions covered the entirety of the kiln' (Ní Cheallacháin and Spencer 2020, 31). Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 10 November 2020