County: Westmeath Site name: GA3, GARRANE/RATHGARRETT
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E1104
Author: Laurence McGowan, 27 Lindenwood Park, Foyle Springs, Derry, for Cultural Resource Development Services Ltd.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 643109m, N 736547m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.377344, -7.352105
This work was undertaken as part of a programme of testing ahead of the proposed realignment of the N6 Dublin-Galway carriageway. The site is one of sixteen sites of archaeological potential identified during the compilation of an EIS. It is situated in the northern part of a field currently in pasture on the south-west-facing slope of a low hill at Chainage point 40,250m.
The site was identified by Markus Casey during the 2002 aerial survey of the proposed road corridor and described as one of 'at least five small circular features... all about 4m in diameter and have a slightly dished centre'. The site was visible as a subtle subcircular hollow measuring c. 15m in diameter.
A central trench was excavated through this slight hollow. In addition, four offset trenches were opened running perpendicular to this central trench. No archaeological activity was uncovered. The slight hollow was simply a natural undulation.
