2004:0703 - MACKNEY, Galway

Three trenches were opened by hand at and adjacent to the site of a possible ringfort in Mackney townland on the proposed N6 Galway–Ballinasloe road scheme. The ringfort was identified in the course of the EIS for the scheme and is not a recorded monument. The proposed roadway will completely remove the site.

Trench 1 was positioned to investigate the enclosing elements of the possible monument and Trenches 2 and 3 were positioned to investigate several narrow linear features that were located during geophysical survey of the area. Trench 1 measured 15m in length and 1m in width and Trenches 2 and 3 measured 10m in length and 1m in width.

For the most part, a simple stratigraphy obtained within Trench 1. Bank material within the trench took the form of a yellow/brown sandy material. A shallow, round-bottomed cut was noted at the interior of the enclosure during excavations. No diagnostic material was found during excavation.

A complex stratigraphy was noted within a substantial V-shaped ditch enclosing the monument. The ditch measured c. 4m in maximum width and 1.43m in maximum depth. Nine varied fills were noted within the ditch, one of which contained a heavily corroded iron fragment and an assemblage of assorted animal bone of differing species. Several cut features were noted within Trench 2. The most substantial of these cut one of a series of three earlier, smaller features. No diagnostic material was present within the fills of the earlier cuts. The largest feature measured 3.95m in width and a maximum of 0.74m in depth. These corresponded to anomalies visible on geophysics plots. Several fills were noted within the cut, though no diagnostic material was present within these fills.

A relatively simple stratigraphy was visible within Trench 3. A series of shallow, round-bottomed furrows and possible furrows were cut into a subsoil deposit in this trench (these also corresponded to anomalies visible on geophysics plots), otherwise no features were noted. A small amount of modern material was found during excavation of the sod and loam topsoil.