Kiln - lime

The National Monuments Service's description

This limekiln was excavated in advance of construction along the route of the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass in 2003. This double keyhole-shaped kiln was orientated N-S with a central bowl or pit and an opening at either side. The stone-lined funnel-shaped bowl narrowed towards the base. The outward batter was supported by a large lintel at the N which also formed the roof to the flue or entrance. The flue passed underneath the pit and widened out into a stone-lined channel at either side of the circular structure. The base of the flue was lined with flagstones, with evidence of hard, trampled lime. According to the excavator (Quinn 2006d, 74), a large pit (4m N-S) at the N side of the kiln has been interpreted as a raking-out pit. A flagstone floor was constructed along the length of the structure, probably facilitating the process of raking out the lime from under the bowl. The excavated evidence may suggest that this is likely to have functioned as a small kiln with relatively small amounts of lime being produced here (ibid., 101). No dateable artefacts were recovered from this kiln. There is another limekiln (CO044-074----) c. 3m to the W. According to the excavator (ibid., 73), there was no evidence to suggest that either kiln pre- or post-dates each other as there was no stratigraphic link between the two areas. It is also possible that they were contemporary. (Quinn 2006b, 70; 2006d)

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009).

Date of upload: 22 December 2009