2004:0697 - LACKAGHBEG, Galway

Roadside improvements (to create roadside parking beside the churchyard) were undertaken by Galway County Council beside a medieval church and tower-house at Lackaghbeg. A licence to monitor the works had been granted in 2003, but the works were postponed to 2004.

Two features of potential archaeological interest were discovered: a stone spread or dump containing early modern pottery and a wall or foundation remnant. The stone dump was located about 20m east of the old cemetery wall and the masonry remnant about 45m east of the wall. The latter was orientated north-south (i.e. perpendicular to the road) and consisted of undressed stones set in a pale mortar. There were no associated finds or features. These features may represent roadside settlement in the early modern period but did not appear on any early map that was consulted.

Both the stone spread and wall remnant were preserved in situ beneath the new gravelled surface of the roadside parking area.