County: Galway Site name: Urraghry, Co. Galway
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR GA087-265 Licence number: —
Author: —
Site type: GRAVES OF INDETERMINATE DATE
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 580521m, N 728664m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.307899, -8.292260
In October 1951 a human skull was discovered during County Council construction work at Urraghry, near Aughrim, Co. Galway.115 A mechanical excavator was being used to clean the Shanvilla River, and the skull, apparently bearing a perforation, was found at a depth of c. 0.8m below the riverbed.116 The site was reported to the NMI by the Gardaí at Ballinasloe, who believed it to be some remains from the Battle of Aughrim. The site was not investigated.
115. Parish of Clontuskert, barony of Clonmacnowen. SMR GA087-265——; the exact location of the site is not marked, but the skull was apparently found on the banks of the River Shanvilla (this river was not located on the map, but there are a number of rivers running through the townland). A number of sites are listed in the SMR from this townland, including enclosures, ringforts and a children’s burial ground.
116. It appears most probable, on the basis of the account, that the skull came from the river, although it is not absolutely clear.
