2003:414 - KILLYBEGS: The Diamond/Main Street, Donegal

Pre-development testing at the site of a proposed hotel at Main Street/The Diamond, Killybegs, Co. Donegal, was carried out on 6 February 2003. The proposed development was located within the zone of archaeological potential for Killybegs (SMR 97:12).

Testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of four trenches, which measured 21.9m, 14.5m, 14.1m and 11.5m long respectively, 1–1.3m wide and 0.2–1.2m deep. The stratigraphy consisted of tarmac, concrete paving and rubble fill on the surface. Within the rubble fill were modern services and concrete wall foundations. Below the rubble fill was topsoil, grey friable loamy sand and rust-coloured friable silt loam. The one feature of note was a linear cut with a rounded base (1.1m deep and 0.7m wide), which was filled with a mixture of topsoil and redeposited grey friable loamy sand. The fill contained occasional animal bone fragments, oyster shell and flecks of charcoal, one sherd of modern pottery, one corroded nail and one modern roof tile.

Only modern artefacts were recovered during the testing. The rubble, tarmac, paving and wall foundations were associated with the building just demolished on the site. The cut in Trench B was filled with topsoil and contained modern artefacts. The grey friable loamy sand and rust-coloured friable silt loam were sterile natural subsoils.

61 An Cladrach, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo