2025:228 - Droim na Gaoithe, Claregalway, Galway

A test excavation was carried out prior to the construction of a proposed development at Droim na Gaoithe (Lakeview), Claregalway. The site consisted of two open pasture fields. A housing estate is located along its northern border, a sports ground to the east, a small access road to the south and the R381 road to the west.
A geophysical survey (25R0048) was carried out in the months prior to the test excavation. This survey revealed the remains of a roadway present on the 1830s 6-Inch Map, possible agricultural furrows, possible pits and areas of magnetic disturbance. The test trenches were laid over these anomalies.
In total, 19 trenches were excavated. The topsoil had an average depth of 0.4m. The natural ground was found to be a compact, mid-brownish-orange clay with areas of bedrock also present.
No archaeological features were identified, and no artefacts were recovered during this test excavation.