This was the first in a series on our excavations of the castle and moat at Caherduggan near Doneraile, County Cork, prepared at the request of Cork County Council and aimed particularly at schoolchildren.

Caherduggan Castle being recorded by archaeologists from Rubicon

Week 1: October 2011

Why are we digging at Caherduggan Castle?

A new road was being built between New Twopothouse and Doneraile. Archaeological testing of the road corridor identified a particularly rich area where further work revealed the foundations of Caherduggan Castle and its moat.

The castle from the air, taken by remote control helicopter

What are we doing?

• Firstly we will record and preserve the castle foundations. Cork County Council decided to move an element of the road so that the castle itself could be preserved.

• Secondly we will excavate and record part of the very large surrounding ditch or moat before construction begins.

The fully excavated annex ditch

What have we found so far?

Before the castle was built, the area was associated with the Duggans; Caherduggan translates as the fort of the Duggans. A nearby ringfort may have been an important local centre. Excavation uncovered the foundations of three buildings that may date to the Early Medieval period and a lime kiln used to produce quicklime.

Archaeologists excavating the medieval ditch

A medieval lime kiln

The later castle and defensive ditch represent a different phase of occupation. Work on the moat was only beginning and we hoped its fills would tell us when it was built and reveal more about life around the castle.

The site and surroundings photographed by remote-control helicopter

The remote control helicopter in action over the site