2019:490 - BUNRATTY EAST, Clare

A programme of archaeological testing was carried out in advance of redevelopment works at Bunratty Folk Park, County Clare, on 24–26 June 2019. The majority of the testing took place to the east of the park in a green field site where it is proposed to extend the car park (See licence No. 19E0340). Three trenches, however, were excavated within the park on the footprint of a café extension, and a new ‘Experience’ Pre-Show and Show building. These trenches were in gardens associated with two rebuilt thatched cottages using a 13-tonne backhoe excavator with a 2m-wide toothless, ditching bucket. Testing exposed ‘made-up’ ground, frequent modern services including pipework, and a manhole overlying a compact natural grey clay. No archaeology was found.