County: Galway Site name: MANNIN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA104-197 and GA104-198 Licence number: 03E0528
Author: Tom Rogers, Moore Ltd.
Site type: Building
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 550278m, N 716931m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.200488, -8.744194
Testing was undertaken ahead of the laying of services associated with the refurbishment of a derelict cottage. The cottage, which has the date 1786 carved on a quoin stone, is near Mannin Castle, a towerhouse recorded as being in the possession of Shane Fitz John Burke in 1585. Also close is St Cronin’s Well, a natural spring known for its healing qualities.
Two trenches were excavated by machine using a toothless bucket. Trench 1 was to the rear of the house. Here topsoil containing some cobble-sized stones which overlay natural boulder clay was found. This may represent the disturbed former yard surface. Trench 2 was to the rear of some outbuildings which, with the castle, form a small courtyard to the rear of the cottage. Here topsoil overlay a grey boulder clay. Large irregular stones were frequent in the topsoil but a distinct line of denser concentration crossed the trench from north to south about 7.3m from the eastern end. This line corresponds with a doorway in one of the outbuildings and may represent a rough pathway from the courtyard to fields to the south.
Corporate House, Ballybrit Business Park, Galway
