1993:038 - Shannagh, Lismontigley, Figart, Tullyvinny, Cooladerry, Tops Demesne, Magherahaan., Donegal

This work was carried out during the construction of a new 110kv line between Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and Strabane, Co. Derry, by the ESB in the summer months of 1993. Three sections along the route were deemed to be close enough to archaeological sites to merit monitoring. These sections comprised 26 construction sites in all, 22 at which double wood pole sets were erected and four where angle masts (small pylons) were erected. Monitoring was involved at the 22 pole sites and trial trenching at the four mast sites. The 22 double wood pole sites were dug to a maximum depth of 2.5m and a width of 0.77m. They sloped up to the surface from their maximum depth, gradually, over a distance of 4m. Each leg of the four, at the base of each angle mast was, also dug to 2.5m deep. Each of these holes were 2.3m sq.

The four angle mast sites produced a modern salt-glazed stoneware jar and three pottery sherds of modern and post-medieval date. The double wood pole sites produced seven pottery sherds of modern and post-medieval date, a clay pipe and a chunk of translucent honey-coloured flint.

No archaeological structures or stratigraphy were encountered during the work. Considering no known archaeological site was being excavated, it is not surprising that the finds were limited and of little importance. However, it is disappointing that more flint was not encountered in this flint-rich area of the north-west.

Churchtown, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal