County: Galway Site name: MACKNEY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A024/4.12
Author: John Tierney, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 583089m, N 729236m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.313128, -8.253765
The assessment, including test excavation, was carried out before the construction of the proposed N6 Galway–Ballinasloe road scheme. The proposed scheme will be a dual carriageway, 56km in length, extending from the east side of Galway city at Doughiska to the east side of Ballinasloe, at Beagh Brabazon, in Co. Roscommon. The assessment was undertaken for Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority and forms part of a wider archaeological assessment of c.15km of the proposed N6 dual carriageway (Contract 4).
The site is situated less than 3km east of Aughrim and 2km west of Ballinasloe, in portions of Fields 120, 122, 123 and 124. A site of archaeological potential (see No. 628, Excavations 2005, A024/4.13) adjacent to a former tower-house called ‘O’Kelly’s Castle’ is located across the road which abuts the east side of Field 124. After testing, this field was found to be devoid of any material of archaeological importance. O’Kelly’s Castle (SMR 97:179) is located towards the north end of Field 124. An earthwork, possibly associated with the castle, is located towards the north of Field 123. This is not listed on the RMP but is partly within the zone of archaeological potential for O’Kelly’s Castle.
The aim of testing was to locate the anomalies identified in the geophysical survey (ArchaeoPhysica 2004) and to establish their nature, extent and significance. In the survey one area of archaeological potential was identified in Field 120, described as a ‘faint linear anomaly [orientated north-west/south-east], perhaps a former field boundary’ (ArchaeoPhysica 2004). Most of the area of this anomaly underlies ESB cables but its southern extent was tested and no corresponding archaeological features were found. The large drainage trench noted by Martin Jones (Excavations 2004, No. 702, 04E0865) was found in Field 124 and was identified as a modern drain. The drain was known by the landowner and is presently maintained by Galway County Council.
The southern end of the feature identified in the geophysical survey was tested during centre-line testing and nothing of archaeological significance was noted. No artefacts were uncovered during the excavation of test-trenches.
Reference
ArchaeoPhysica 2004 N6 Galway to East Ballinasloe geophysical survey report. Unpublished report lodged with the DoEHLG.
Ballycurreen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork
