2001:801 - N7 IMPROVEMENTS: Parkway–Plassey Roundabouts, Singland and Reboge Meadows, Limerick

The proposed road extends west–east, between a new exit on the Parkway roundabout to the Plassey Park Road roundabout. There are no identifiable archaeological sites on the route line, but following assessment in 2000 monitoring of the topsoil-stripping and removal of the sand was recommended. This work took place between 31 August and 11 October 2001 and consisted of monitoring the topsoil-stripping along the length of the road-take from the western end at the Parkway roundabout to the east-facing slope of the hill adjacent to the borough boundary. Some post-medieval potsherds were recovered in the topsoil and at the interface between it and the underlying sand.

On the eastern part of the road line, which was at a lower level, the road-take was covered with terram and 804, so there was no actual stripping or digging apart from the reed-bed area near the western bank of the Groody River. Here the burnt area noted at Site D (the Surface Water Filter Area) during the assessment (see Excavations 2000, No. 612) was identified and cleaned. The blackening appeared to have been caused by staining/leaching and what was thought to be cinders turned out to be lumps of hard black clay. No archaeological features were noted.

Also identified, adjacent to Area A, was a spread of red ash and dark soil which underlay c. 0.15m of clean sand. This was cleaned and quarter-sectioned in places. A single sherd of Neolithic pottery was recovered and the area was subsequently excavated by Tony Cummins (01E0946, see No. 802, Excavations 2001).

Once the topsoil-stripping was completed across the upper part of the site, i.e. between the Parkway roundabout and the borough boundary line, the underlying sand, gravel and boulders were machined out to a depth of c. 3m in places. No features of archaeological significance were noted.

Limerick Corporation, City Hall, Limerick