County: Offaly Site name: THE ABBEY FARM, Killeigh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 25:17 Licence number: 99E0348 ext.
Author: Dominic Delany
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 636735m, N 718317m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.214000, -7.450000
A second phase of testing was carried out at this site on 11 and 12 February. The work was undertaken at the request of Dúchas The Heritage Service, who recommended a revised site layout and further testing in response to the results of the initial test excavation (Excavations 1999, 262).
Nine trenches were excavated: two at each of three proposed house sites, and three on the line of the proposed service run. Following extensive testing it was established that the only definite archaeological features within the tested area are those that were discovered during the initial excavation. These comprise a portion of an ecclesiastical enclosure, which skirts the south-east end of the site, and two post-medieval features, which were discovered on the route of the proposed service road. Several possible archaeological features were tested. The results were inconclusive because no datable finds were recovered, but most appeared to be of post-medieval or modern date.
The revised site layout plan provides for the exclusion of the enclosure element from the boundaries of the house sites, and the service road will be raised in order to minimise compaction of subsurface archaeological material. Further monitoring was recommended.
31 Ashbrook, Oranmore, Co. Galway
