Role: Archaeological Contractor

Rathnacally Wind Farm

Client: B&R Wind Ltd

AMS have completed all archaeological works for the Rathnacally Wind Farm project. The on-site archaeological investigations were carried out between October 2017 and April 2018. They included:

  • Archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping;
  • Archaeological excavation of ten sites identified during monitoring.

Following this, post-excavation works were undertaken, which included:

  • Preparing a Preliminary Report on the Monitoring and Excavations;
  • Specialist analyses and preparation of a Final Excavation Report incorporating the results of analyses.

Project Scope

Rathnacally Wind Farm development located in Charleville, Co. Cork involved the construction of two wind turbines with a tip height of up to 150.5m, a control building, a 100m high wind monitoring mast and associated site works.

Archaeological monitoring in progress at Turbine footprint location

Archaeological excavation of Bronze Age cist

Consideration Factors

The Rathnacally Wind Farm project is located within a rich archaeological landscape with two early medieval ringforts bordering the southwestern limit of the development. As such, previously unknown sub-surface archaeological features were an archaeological risk-factor for this project.

Project Outcomes

Ten archaeological sites were identified during the monitoring works. In consultation with the National Monuments Service, it was decided to preserve one of these sites (a series of pits, postholes, stakeholes and ditches) in situ beneath a floating road construction. The remaining nine sites were fully excavated and preserved by record. The excavated sites included:

  • Two cereal-drying kilns, one dating to the middle/late Iron Age and the other to the early medieval period.
  • Two middle Bronze Age pits.
  • An early Bronze Age fulacht fiadh/burnt mound and associated features.
  • A multi-period site comprising a middle Iron Age roundhouse, an early Bronze Age ring-ditch and an early/middle Bronze Age short cist containing a cremation. An isolated pit at this site also produced sherds of an early Neolithic carinated bowl.
  • An early medieval earth-cut well.
  • A series of pits, postholes, stakeholes and hearths dating to the early Bronze Age.
  • A late Bronze Age possible cremation pit and a separate grouping of three pits, one dating to the late Bronze Age/early Iron Age.