1999:469 - CARRICK-ON-SHANNON: Bridge Street, Leitrim

Pre-development testing was undertaken on the site of a proposed development off Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The site is within the zone of archaeological importance for Carrick-on-Shannon. Six test-trenches were excavated by machine within the proposed development. All were 12m long and 2m wide, except Trench 6, which was 5m long.

The stratigraphy within Trench 1 consisted of a sod/topsoil layer 0.48m thick, which directly overlay a black, peaty layer 0.32m thick. Underlying the black peaty layer was a light brown peat 0.15m thick. A sherd of modern glazed pottery was recovered from this layer. It directly overlay the natural, grey, stony daub.

At the northern end of Trench 2 the sod/topsoil, 0.35m thick, directly overlay a light brown clay, 0.13m thick, which produced some red brick. The light brown clay directly overlay the natural, orange, stony boulder clay. In the southern half of the trench the sod/topsoil layer, 0.32m thick, overlay a mortar and clay layer 0.27m thick. Underlying the mortar and clay layer was a black, peaty layer 0.5m thick, which produced some red brick. The black, peaty layer directly overlay the natural, orange boulder clay.

At the northern end of Trench 3 the sod/topsoil, 0.3m thick, directly overlay the natural, orange, stony boulder clay. In the southern half of the trench the sod/topsoil, 0.32m thick, directly overlay a mortar and clay layer 0.64m thick. Underlying the mortar and clay layer was a black, peaty layer 0.15m thick, which produced some modern white-glazed pottery. The black, peaty layer directly overlay a natural, grey daub 0.25m thick, which in turn directly overlay a natural, orange, stony boulder clay.

At the northern end of Trench 4 the sod/topsoil, 0.3m thick, directly overlay the natural, orange, stony boulder clay. In the southern half of the trench the sod/topsoil layer, 0.1m thick, directly overlay a mortar and clay layer 0.49m thick. Underlying this was a dark brown, peaty clay layer, 0.27m thick, which directly overlay the natural, orange, stony boulder clay.

In Trench 5 the sod/topsoil layer, 0.4m thick, directly overlay a natural, orange stony, boulder clay.

In Trench 6 the sod/topsoil layer, 0.19m thick, directly overlay a stone flag floor 0.08m thick. Underlying the stone flag floor was a loose clay and stone layer 0.43m thick. A layer of redeposited, natural, orange daub, 0.21m thick, directly underlay the loose clay and stones. A grey, sticky daub, 0.2m thick, directly underlay the redeposited, natural, orange daub. Underlying the grey, sticky daub was a brown, peaty clay, 0.22m thick, which produced two clay pipe stems, some animal bone and two sherds of 18th-19th-century pottery. The brown, peaty clay directly overlay a natural, sandy gravel.

No archaeological features or finds were recovered from any of the trenches.

Rathbawn Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo