2024:438 - Church Street, Townplots West, Killala, Mayo

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Church Street, Townplots West townland, in Killala, County Mayo, was carried out on 3 October 2024. The proposed development consisted of the demolition of a 20th-century dwelling house and associated domestic sheds and the construction of a new dwelling house and domestic garage. The testing was necessary as the proposed development was located within the constraint for Ecclesiastical Remains (RMP MA022-017) and was carried out as part of the planning process.

The site was located across the street from the cathedral (MA022-017003) and 45m south-east of Killala round tower (MA022-017001), which is a national monument (No. 105).

The testing consisted of the excavation of two trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development that was accessible. Trench A measured 6m long, 2-2.5m wide and 0.9-1.2m deep. Trench B measured 7.5m long, 1.8-2m wide and 0.2-0.6m deep.

Testing revealed modern surfaces (tarmac and concrete) above modern fills and topsoil, above natural subsoil and bedrock. One modern artefact was recovered from the topsoil.

Although nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence, due to the small area of the site that was available to test and the proximity of the site to the cathedral and its associated graveyard (MA022-017010), within which is a souterrain (MA022-017005), it was recommended that all groundworks associated with the proposed development be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist.