2026:279 - Bushfield, Derrydonnell Beg, Shantallow and Moyveela, Galway
County: Galway
Site name: Bushfield, Derrydonnell Beg, Shantallow and Moyveela
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 26E0610 / 26R0361
Author: Muireann Ní Cheallacháin
Author/Organisation Address: IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
Site type: Likely prehistoric ring-ditches
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 541381m, N 725369m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.275406, -8.878892
Archaeological testing and metal detection survey was undertaken in association with a proposed development, located in the townlands of Bushfield, Shantallow and Moyvella, Co. Galway. The programme of testing followed a previous archaeological assessment conducted for the site and geophysical survey (Licence No. 26R0131).
The programme was carried out over three days from 17 August 2026. Testing revealed one area of archaeological potential comprising a possible ring-ditch. This area had been identified as ‘Site 1’ in the geophysical survey and has been designated as Archaeological Area 1 (AA1).
It was not possible to investigate the footprint of geophysical anomaly ‘Site 2’, which is located c. 16m to the north of ‘Site 1’ due to the excavation buffer zone associated with overhead wires. Given their similarity of form, the results of testing ‘Site 1’ may be taken as confirmation for ‘Site 2’ in absence of testing and it has therefore been designated as Archaeological Area (AA2).
The testing confirmed that while the proposed development is largely clear of archaeological remains, two small features (likely prehistoric ring-ditches) designated as AA1 and AA2, are located within the north field in Bushfield townland.
