Kiln - corn-drying

The National Monuments Service's description

In poorly drained, wet pasture, with moderate views in all directions, 35m E of the townland boundary with Ballycarrane and 60m N of a stream marking the townland boundary with Killeen. A moated site (LI021-021----) lies 20m to S. Not depicted on OS historic mapping. Monument identified as a potential corn-drying kiln by Ciara McManus in 1999 during monitoring (Licence No. 99E0230 ext.) of additional topsoil stripping along the route of the N20/N21 Adare to Annacotty road scheme in the vicinity to N of a known moated site (McManus 1999). The moated site had previously been assessed and monitored (Licence No. 99E0230) (Gahan & Eogan 1997; Gahan 1998), however the corn-drying kiln appears to have been just outside the testing and initial monitoring area. Monument described by Ciara McManus in 1999 as two large spreads of black, charcoal-rich material (McManus 1999, 1).
Excavation of these spreads revealed that they overlay the subsurface cut of a kiln (3.5m E-W; 1.28-1.9m N-S). The W half of the cut was more bulbous-shaped than the E, which was elongated, giving it an hourglass-shape (McManus 1999, 1). The base of the pit was gently undulating, although it was more bowl-shaped within the more circular-shaped portion a t the E end. The sides of the kiln were lined with roughly hewn blocks of limestone which formed the foundations for the main structure (ibid, 2). Only two stone courses survived along the E half and along the S edge of the pit. The bulbous-shaped E end of the pit and the more elongated, W end were divided in section by a column of loosely stacked stones (ibid). The fill of the pit contained charcoal-rich deposits and rubble stone collapsed from the upper half of the structure.
A spread (L 4.5m; Wth 2.5m) of charcoal-rich material was uncovered approx. 2.3m to S. Investigation of this feature indicates that it was the remains of dump material from the kiln (McManus 1999, 3).
Although no recognisable grain was recovered from the deposits, the kiln was probably used for drying corn, as it is similar in shape and construction to those previously excavated. Although no dating material was recovered from the site, the kiln's proximity to the moated site and its similarity to other kilns of medieval date, give it a probable association with the enclosure (McManus 1999, 3-4). Monument is not visible on Digital Globe orthophotos taken 2011-13 or on Google Earth orthoimages taken 28/06/2018.

See attached excavation plan and location map taken from McManus 1999

Compiled by: Alison McQueen and Vera Rahilly

Date of upload: 10 August 2020

References

Gahan, A. and Eogan, J. September 1998 Report on monitoring at AR2 Gorteen, Co. Limerick, N20/N21 Adare to Annacotty road route. Licence no. 97E0230. Unpublished report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Dublin.

McManus, C. 1999 Excavations at AR2, Gorteen Td, Co. Limerick. N20/N21 Road Improvement Scheme. Unpublished report (Licence No. 97E0230 ext.), submitted by Archaeological Development Services Ltd. on behalf of Limerick City Council to the National Monuments Service, Dúchas.

Gahan, A. 1997 Site assessment for N20-N21 Adare to Annacotty Road Route, Co. Limerick. Unpublished report (Licence No. 97E0230 ext.), submitted by Archaeological Development Services Ltd. on behalf of Limerick City Council to the National Monuments Service, Dúchas.