2024:117 - Coláiste an Chregáin, Bovinion, Mountbellew, Galway

Archaeological testing was carried out in advance of the construction of a single-storey classroom building with an external covered walkway at Coláiste an Chregáin, Mountbellew. The school occupies the site of the former workhouse (GA046-005 and 006) and several of the original buildings are incorporated into the current complex. An existing derelict stone mortuary building is to be renovated and incorporated into the proposed development.

Two trenches in the workhouse courtyard suggest that all remains of the workhouse structures shown on historic maps but since demolished have been completely removed. Robber trenches demonstrate that stone foundations from a small structure were dug up, presumably following the conversion of the site into a school. The topsoil in the courtyard interior is modern and contains plastic and wood; no workhouse-related artefactual material was encountered. In the areas of impact outside the workhouse courtyard area, test trenches demonstrated that ground level has been significantly raised through burying demolition rubble from former buildings; large amounts of modern refuse was also noted throughout.

The proposed development is not likely to impact on any below-ground archaeological features or deposits. However, given that the proposed development is within the site of a 19^th-century workhouse, it was recommended that development groundworks be subject to archaeological monitoring.