2003:2242 - TUAM, Galway

An application was lodged for the creation of two interconnected car-parking areas and extending an existing carpark on waste ground to the north of the SuperValu supermarket. The development came within the limits of the medieval town of Tuam and nine test-trenches were cut in advance of the development. In addition, some high stone walls of no antiquity and further walls of ruined buildings were demolished. At some of the trenches there had been disturbed ground, but within the majority the original topsoil survived. It consisted of a rich black clay which was 1.1m deep along the north end of the site, on ground which had been occupied by an orchard. There were no features or items of significance recovered from any of the trenches. Most trenches produced modern pottery sherds, stems of clay pipes and some oyster shells.