Large Charcoal Production Kiln (Ballyhemiken)

The most striking feature from this site was a large, elongated charcoal production pit. Measuring c. 15 m long, 2.5 m wide, and 0.7 m deep, this example far exceeds the more typical size range for excavated examples of such features in Ireland. The base of the pit was highly scorched. These sites were used to slowly burn wood (typically oak) to produce charcoal for use in metalworking. The charcoal-production pit is likely medieval or post-medieval in date and must have produced large volumes of charcoal.