M28 Archaeology

Situated on a plateau that overlooks the surrounding countryside, the site contained the foundation remains of at least one Early Neolithic house (possibly two) and a potential ancillary building. Stone tools including quartz crystal items, cereal grains including cultivation and Early Neolithic pottery were identified in the foundation trench of the house indicating that the site was likely the farmstead of an early prehistoric family, and likely one of the earliest farming families to have settled the area.

Two sites, at Barnahely 2 and Raffeen 2, contained what may prove to be Bronze Age roundhouses. Each was likely the home of a single-family unit who lived on the Ringaskiddy peninsula in prehistoric times. Only the post-holes remain to indicate the outline of the possible houses.

A concentration of suspected Bronze Age grain storage pits was discovered at Barnahely. These pits contained significant quantities of charred grain and a large number of quern stones, which would have been used to grind the grain to make flour. The number of querns and quern fragments points to relatively large scale grain processing, more than would be needed for a single family group.

Several fulachtaí fia/burnt mounds were excavated across the scheme. A large example, a previously known site, was unearthed at Shannonpark. This site type typically dates to the Bronze Age. They are recognised as a mound or spread of heat-shattered stones and charcoal-rich soil, usually found in association with one or more troughs set in to the ground, and are generally found next a water source.

This was a multi-period site containing a Bronze Age flat cemetery with 13 cremations (including one urn cremation and two stone cists) and a suspected early medieval double-ditched (bi-vallate) enclosure. The urn cremation was block-lifted by a conservator, x-rayed off site and excavated in a lab.

By far, the standout site from the M28 project is the multi-enclosure complex at Barnahely 2. Three ringforts, two containing souterrains, and a later enclosure and associated cereal-drying kiln were found. Ringforts are defended farmsteads of early mediaeval date. The souterrain (underground passage) within one of the ringforts appears to have utilised an underlying cave system.

At Ballinrea, on elevated ground with expansive views to the north and east, excavations revealed a substantial enclosure of likely early medieval date. The enclosing ditch appears to have been constructed in phases, culminating in a large, ‘plectrum-shaped’ enclosure.

A substantial, sub-rectangular, ditched enclosure was identified at Ballinimlagh. The evidence suggests the site originated as a late medieval moated enclosure, likely constructed by colonists arriving as part of the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland.

The most striking feature from the 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.

Remains of a stone-built forge building, with brick and stoen floor and cobbled yard were found at low-lying ground at Shannonpark. Finds includes 17th century pottery, glass, metal-working debris and metal, as well as clay pipe fragments and flint objects.

Ha Ha ditches were boundaries cut into the ground with a retaining wall to prevent unwanted animals entering the demesne lands, while maintaining uninterrupted views from the big house. The term ‘ha-ha’ supposedly derived from the surprise visitors expressed when seeing the hidden boundary on closer inspection.

The new grade-separated interchange at Carr’s Hill, which will involve major earthworks to construct, will provide direct access to the M28 for the rapidly expanding Douglas area.

Cork County Council, in partnership with TII, has completed the €3.8 million Ringaskiddy Active Travel and Urban Realm Scheme, constructed by Coffey Construction Ltd. The project delivered a 1.75 km shared path linking the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy village, and Gobby Beach, supported by a €1 million contribution from the Port of Cork. Together with the M28 Motorway Project, it has reduced traffic speeds and enhanced the village environment for residents and visitors.

On the eastbound approach, a 17m deep cut will open up onto the new Shannonpark Interchange. The new grade-separated dumbbell interchange will be built at Shannonpark to replace the existing at-grade junction, which suffers from major congestion and safety issues.

At Shanbally, the interchange will be a grade-separated junction designed for smoother and safer traffic flow. A large roundabout, with a minimum diameter of 60 metres, will connect local traffic with the motorway. Southbound vehicles will be able to exit the M28 here, while northbound traffic will merge back onto the motorway.

The Bloomfield Interchange upgrade will introduce a new bridge carrying a dedicated westbound lane, eliminating weaving movements and greatly improving road safety. Identified as a key measure in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), this design will reduce collision risks and enhance traffic flow. The scheme will also deliver new noise mitigation measures for the first time in this densely populated area, improving the quality of life for local residents.

The Ringaskiddy Relief Road from Barnahely to the Port of Cork will deliver 1.5 km of new single carriageway with roundabouts at Barnahely, Loughbeg, and east of Ringaskiddy. The works, constructed by Sorensen Civil Engineering, include footpaths, cycle facilities, underpasses, major earthworks, drainage, and utility diversions, improving safety and connectivity for all road users.

The existing bridge and substandard northbound on-ramp at Maryborough Hill will be removed and replaced with a widened bridge built to modern design standards. The new structure will provide greater capacity and safer, wider footpaths for pedestrians and cyclists. This upgrade will eliminate a known safety risk and support a safer, higher-capacity, and strategically aligned M28 road network.