Is this a first? The Cork Archaeological Survey team at UCC, which discovered a poitin still in the hills between Dunmanway and Copeen, believes it is. Archaeological surveys don't usually record such finds.
According to the survey office, the mini-distillery may have been used as far back as the 17th century and perhaps as recently as this one.
What makes this find interesting is that the still is a solid structure, although now in a state of complete degeneration. In the 17th century, when home distillation became illegal, the boyos who made the hard stuff responded to the ban by using mobile distilleries that could be dismantled or destroyed quickly to avoid the long arm of the law.
Ms Sheila Lane, the team's leading archaeologist, says the still was hidden between crevices and rocks, and cleverly concealed. Those running it knew what they were about.
The evidence of continued use until the 20th century is not conclusive, but Ms Lane thinks there is a possibility it might have been churning out the much-prized spirit as late as that. Though obvious through its outline to the archaeologists, there is little at the site for the ordinary punter to see. But the survey has found much else besides.
Today the archaeologists - Ursula Egan, Elisabeth Byrne and Mary Sleeman - will break up after 16 years working as a team on the Co Cork survey. Sheila Lane will remain: she believes archaeology should be interactive between the professionals and the public. For instance, one man walking his land in the Beara Peninsula has offered 300 new sites to the survey which might not have been discovered but for his ramblings. And people are ringing in to say there's more.
The team visited the country shows and the schools to spread the message. It sought to contact farmers and youngsters in the countryside to explain the importance of recording imprints from the ancient past. The survey was established in 1982 under the auspices of the Commissioners of Public Works. Since then, some 20,000 sites and monuments have been recorded and catalogued.
The survey aims to achieve extensive coverage in as little time as possible of each individual site in the county.
First, a Sites and Monuments inventory, listing all known items of archaeological interest was produced. It marked each site on sixinch Ordnance Survey Maps. In 1988, the Co Cork Sites and Monuments Record was completed and distributed to all the planning authorities and agencies involved in decision-making relevant to the protection of sites.
The survey's function then was to produce archaeological inventories aimed at a general readership as well as scholars.
The archaeologists will use the survey for their own purposes. But it is hoped the availability of the record in readable form will promote greater interest among the public in Ireland's archaeological heritage.
So far, three volumes have been produced for Co Cork. The first, for west Cork, the second for the east of the county and volume three for mid-Cork. The fourth volume, on north Cork, is due this month.
Today, though the team disbands officially, the doors of the archaeological survey offices in UCC will remain open and the records will continue to be accessible to the public.