County: Galway Site name: LAURENCETOWN AND BALLYMORE LOWER
Sites and Monuments Record No.: RMP 100:17 Licence number: 01E0780 ext.
Author: Richard Crumlish, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 588144m, N 720692m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.236488, -8.177591
Monitoring of groundworks associated with the construction of an access path to a graveyard and mausoleum took place on 9 October 2001 at Ballymore Lower townland, Lawrencetown, Co. Galway. Pre-development testing of the proposed development was carried out by Anne Carey in August 2001 (see Excavations 2001, No. 522). As a result of the testing, Dúchas recommended monitoring of the groundworks, to be carried out under an extension to the original licence.
The proposed development was located in a field of slightly undulating pasture to the south-west of Lawrencetown village and a short distance north of Ballymore Castle (SMR 100:14).
As a result of the undulating nature of the field it was decided that only certain sections of the path route would have to be excavated, with other sections being filled up. The first section excavated was at one end of the path, along the west end of the north field boundary. It measured roughly 55m east–west, 3.5–4m wide and 50–250mm deep, and was located alongside a stream. A number of small mounds along this section, which were cleared during the groundworks, appeared to be the result of the widening and deepening of the stream.
The second section was at the other end of the path, i.e. nearest the graveyard. It measured 20m west-north-west/east-south-east, then 21m south-west/north-east along the east field boundary, 3.5–4.3m wide and 50–300mm deep. A turning point for vehicles was also excavated midway along the second section. It measured 7.5m north-west/south-east by 75m wide.
The stratigraphy encountered consisted of topsoil on the surface, above backfill, grey/yellow subsoil and bedrock. The backfill was from the trenches excavated during the pre-development testing. Within the backfill one small fragment of bone was visible, which measured 25mm by 40mm. This bone was part of a skeleton uncovered during the previous testing of the site. It was not disturbed during the groundworks.
Purcell House, Claregalway Road, Oranmore, Co. Galway
