2004:1530 - KNOCKATOBER, Sligo

Pre-development testing was carried out on 26 and 27 October 2004 at a site in advance of its development at Knockatober townland, Ballintogher, Co. Sligo. The proposed development was located within the archaeological constraint for two monuments, a possible road (SMR 21:57) and a megalithic tomb (SMR 21:58). The possible road ran through the site, while the portal tomb was located 24m north-east of the development. The possible road was associated with Kilross ecclesiastical remains (SMR 21:56), located a short distance away to the north. The possible road was a sunken linear feature that measured 3.5–7.5m wide and 0.3–1m deep.

The testing comprised the excavation (by machine) of four trenches, which measured 30.7m, 15.1m, 6.8m and 29.5m long, respectively, 1.0–1.2m wide and 0.3–1.2m deep. The stratigraphy was the same in all four trenches. Below the topsoil was grey/orange/brown friable silt loam. Below the friable silt loam was mottled plastic clay that contained occasional partially decayed stone.

The topsoil in the trench that crossed the feature was partially grey in colour and contained a shallow layer of gravel. There was no obvious cut visible at either side of the feature, while the natural subsoils appeared to follow the above-ground contour of the land. One sherd of blackware was recovered from the topsoil in a separate trench.

The testing revealed nothing of archaeological significance. The friable silt loam and mottled plastic clay were sterile natural subsoils. The feature consisted of a road or track that was clearly marked on an estate map of 1768 and that gave access from the main road to the north, to a house belonging to a Mr Armstrong. The estate map showed the road/track leaving the main road to the west of Kilross church and proceeding south-east towards the house. This was the same line taken by the feature on the ground.

61 An Cladrach, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo