County: Westmeath Site name: ATHLONE WATER SUPPLY SCHEME
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0267
Author: Martin E. Byrne
Site type: Watercourse
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 604039m, N 742201m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.429897, -7.939223
Monitoring associated with the Athlone Water Supply Scheme-Annagh Reservoir Project was undertaken from 26 April to 3 September 1999. The work was carried out as a result of archaeological mitigation procedures suggested in the archaeological assessment report prepared in relation to the scheme. There are a number of archaeological sites in the general environs of the project area, which is to the north-east of Athlone. Furthermore, much of the pipeline was laid in areas of peatland, an environment that considerably aids the preservation of artefacts and features of archaeological and historical interest. Most of the monitoring was undertaken by Teresa Bolger and Agnes Kerrigan, under the supervision of the writer.
An initial programme of engineering trial-pits aided in the final decision on what areas required full-time monitoring. The project consisted of a reservoir area and pipelines, the total length of the latter being c. 8459m. Topsoil-stripping at the reservoir area and topsoil/trench excavations of all but c. 1500m of the pipeline were monitored.
The only features of note were two stone-built culverts in Annaghgortagh td. These culverts crossed under the road, and it is likely that both were associated with a former mill that stood near the road.
31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare
