2002:1795 - KILLOTERAN (N25 Waterford Bypass, Contract 1, Site 5), Waterford

The N25 Waterford Bypass project comprises an 18km route, and archaeological works are necessary before construction. Contract 1 of this project involves the stretch of road south of the River Suir as far as Kilmeadan in County Waterford. This licence relates to the investigation of known and potential archaeological features identified in previous surveys. Site 5 was identified following the environmental impact statement as an area of high archaeological potential after an examination of the topographical nature of the scheme. The area was in the townland of Killoteran on a prominent ridge/area of high ground. Such a location had the potential to contain human settlement. An assessment was carried out that involved machine-assisted trial-trenching along the centre-line of the road, with offsets at 45º angles at intervals of 30m on alternate sides. Before testing, a geophysical survey was undertaken at this site. This survey identified areas of archaeological potential to the south-west of the site. Although the entire south-west area of the site was subject to geophysical testing, access for trial-trenching was permitted only to two fields in the area. Five cultivation furrows, three pits, an oxidised clay spread, a linear feature and a hearth were discovered in these two fields. Consequently, further work is required on this site.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth