County: Galway Site name: ARDRAHAN NORTH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA114-001---- Licence number: 03E1287
Author: Dominic Delaney
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 546107m, N 712215m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.157702, -8.805820
Monitoring of excavations associated with conservation works at Ardrahan Church was carried out on 9 and 10 September 2003. The existing Protestant church was built in 1809 on the site of its medieval and Early Christian predecessor. The remains of the round tower within the churchyard indicate that Ardrahan was a settlement of importance prior to the coming of the Normans.
Excavations were limited to a surface waterpipe trench around the base of the church and an ESB cable trench adjacent to the pathway on the east side of the church. It was originally proposed to excavate further land drains and a soak hole but, following the discovery of an existing French drain on the south side of the church, it was decided to route all surface water pipes into this drain. The surface water trench was 0.6–0.9m wide and 0.2–0.4m deep, and the ESB cable trench was 0.2m wide and 0.2m deep. A plinth composed of rectangular limestone blocks was exposed at the base of the church, and an existing French drain was discovered on the south side of the church. The drain is orientated north-west/south-east and capped with large limestone slabs. The excavated ground was very dry and it was clear that the drain was still functioning. Finds included small fragments of animal bone and disarticulated human bones, and occasional modern potsherds and glass fragments.
Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway
