Archaeologists find remains of castle and 12th century village

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have uncovered what they believe to be part of a large medieval village and the remains of a castle at separate sites in north Cork.

The village could date back as far as the 12th century, and has yielded corn-drying kilns, pottery and iron artefacts, including weapons.

Archaeologists have only barely scraped the surface.

The find was made as Cork County Council workers were undertaking road improvements between Twopothouse and Doneraile.

Archaeologists monitoring the work excavated “test trenches” at the townland of Caherduggan and were said to be very excited by what they unearthed, describing the find as “very significant”.

Local folklore pointed to a large village existing in that area some centuries ago. It is believed it was occupied from the 12th to 16th century.

Historians believe the remains of a fort and a church might exist in the immediate area, as well as houses.

Aidan Weir, a senior executive engineer with Cork Co Council, said the archaeologists were preparing a preliminary report for the local authority.

They will ask for more time to assess the site, believing it may be quite large.

“The test trenches were dug right in the centre of what would be part of the new road and these trenches have given archaeologists a flavour of what might lie around,” said Mr Weir.

He said the local authority would give the archaeologists more time and suggested they may need some months to complete their work.

“It is important to record our history and to ensure this it is important that the site be properly investigated,” explained Mr Weir.

The council is spending €500,000 realigning 1.6km of road between Twopothouse and Doneraile, where there are a number of dangerous bends.

Meanwhile, county archaeologist Catryn Power disclosed yesterday that she had discovered the remains of a large castle two miles west of Kilworth.

The castle is at Ballyclough, on the Glanworth road, and it was first identified through aerial photography.

“I have visited the site and I believe it could have been occupied in the 13th and 14th centuries. It appears to be quite large and had a large courtyard,” said Ms Power.

She said it may have belonged to a clan who was defeated and lost their lands, or could have been used by the Roches who later built a formidable castle in Glanworth, much of which is preserved today.