2026:056 - Graigueshoneen, Kilmacthomas, Waterford

The development of new Fire Station at Graigueshoneen, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford was the subject of a Part 8 Planning Process by Waterford City & County Council; a consultation submission was made to the DAU, Dept. of Housing. Local Government & Heritage who responded that the development be subject to an Archaeological Impact Assessment, to include a programme of invasive testing.

There are no previously identified archaeological monuments located within the extent of the development site and no surface features of potential interest were noted by a cartographic research, a review of aerial photography/satellite/LiDAR imagery or by a surface reconnaissance survey.

The RMP includes five monuments located in the wider (1km) environs of the subject site, the nearest of which is a Ringfort – unclassified (SMR No: WA015-050). A cluster of archaeological sites were investigated by Eachtra Archaeological Projects from 1998-2000 as part of the N25 Road Realignment Project; those located within 1km of the development site included WA015-098 hearth, WA015-093 fulacht fiadh, WA015-111 enclosure, WA015-050 ringfort, WA015-049 ringfort, WA015089 enclosure, WA015-101001 pit burial, WA015-048007 excavation miscellaneous, WA015-048004 excavation miscellaneous, WA015-048002 hut site, WA015-048006 hearth. WA015-048008 metalworking site, WA015-106001 habitation site and WA0151-106004 kiln (Johnson et al, 2008)

A total of twenty-one trenches, of varying lengths and orientations, were excavated across the site, the locations of which were generally reflective of the subject development proposals; no subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered and no artefacts of archaeological or historical interest were recovered.

Reference:

Johnson, P., Kiely, J. & Tierney, J. 2008. Near the bend in the River. National Roads Authority Scheme Monographs No. 3.