County: Kildare Site name: River Barrow, Srowland, Athy
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: 06D087, 06R213
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Co. Ltd, Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kildare
Site type: Riverine
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 666687m, N 696307m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.013312, -7.006203
A non-disturbance assessment was undertaken of a 20m stretch of the River Barrow, Srowland townland, Athy, Co. Kildare. The impact area is located along the northern side of the river between NGR: 266750 196273 and NGR: 266740 196271. The development comprises a 41536m raw-water storage facility, clear water tanks, a sludge dewatering area, wash recovery tanks, administration galley and a chemical store. A pumping station and intake pipe will be placed on the north side of the River Barrow at NGR: 266751 196273 (centre-point). The intake pipe will impact on a 9m area of riverbank.
Visual inspection and magnetometer survey by handheld metal detection was employed to assess the archaeological potential of the riverbed and the eastern riverbank. The survey was undertaken over a 120m by 15m section of the riverbed and a 120m section of bank structure. A significant buffer zone was incorporated into the survey, extending the survey 50m either side of the impact area. Detailed descriptions were made of riverbed topography and bottom composition and, where possible, metal-detector hits were examined. No archaeologically significant deposits/structures were encountered.
