2003:1994 - MULLINGAR: St Mary's CBS, College Street, Westmeath

The development comprises a two-storey extension to and refurbishment of a 1960s/1970s school block to the north of the Hevey Institute, a mid-19th-century building. The area of the extension measures c. 30m by 10m.

An earlier extension on the north side of the 1960s/1970s block was demolished, leaving stone foundations in place. Sections through two box drains running north-south underneath the 1960s/1970s block were exposed by the removal of the extension. They may have related to the Hevey Institute. The 1960s/1970s school may have been built on top of the drains, which were then disturbed by the construction of the (now demolished) extension.

The tarmac cover was removed over the area of the proposed extension. A layer of stone and hard core was exposed underneath. Below was a layer of light-brown clay. In the centre of the extension area a light-grey silt layer lay between the stones and the light-brown clay. The lines of the box drains, where they could be traced, ran towards this deposit, which was therefore interpreted as a sump area associated with the use of the Hevey Institute. The light-brown clay was removed to a depth of c. 1.5m on the west side and to a depth of c. 1m at the east side.

Further monitoring took place in December 2003. A strip immediately north of the school was reduced by c. 1.5m. This was to produce a working area for the installation of the ESB system and a cable. It was also necessary to reduce the ground level further to the north, between the extension and the boundary to the north. Archaeological material was not exposed during this reduction.

Roestown, Drumree, Co. Meath