County: Sligo Site name: RATHBRAGHAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E1113
Author: Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 570045m, N 837699m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.287201, -8.460042
This project was concerned with pre-development testing associated with the construction of a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the townland of Rathbraghan, Co. Sligo. An assessment of the site in 1997 had identified a possible site, Feature B, a low, grassy mound, c. 20m by 9m. A condition included in the planning permission stipulated that the feature was to be tested in advance of construction.
Three trenches were excavated in the area of Feature B. In Trench A (20m by 1.5m) the removal of sod uncovered a dark brown topsoil with occasional small stones. This layer extended the length of the trench and was 0.1–0.12m in depth. Occasional glass fragments were recovered from this layer. Underlying this was a white/grey natural chalk layer, which also extended the length of the trench and was excavated to a depth of 0.5–0.6m. No finds or features of archaeological significance were revealed in this trench.
Trench B (40m by 1.5m) and Trench C (30m by 1.5m) were located to the south of Trench A. The stratigraphy was similar to that in Trench A. Underlying the topsoil there was a brown/orange subsoil, which overlay a natural chalk-enriched layer. Occasional glass fragments and 19th/20th-century pottery were recovered from the trenches. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered in the trenches.
Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway
