2005:1078 - HAYNESTOWN AND HAGGARDSTOWN, Louth

Testing was undertaken on a 57ha greenfield site at Haggardstown and Haynestown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, prior to the construction of a retail and residential complex. The proposed development is divided into nine areas. Test-trenching commenced in Area 2 on 22 August 2005 and lasted for four days. Testing of the remaining areas commenced on 3 October 2005 and lasted for seven weeks.
A detailed magnetic gradiometer survey and earth resistance survey was carried out by Earthsound Archaeological Geophysics under detection licence 05R087 over a 3ha area immediately south-west of Haggardstown Cross in Area 2. This survey identified a large number of potential archaeological features, along with a significant number of geological trends. A total of sixteen geophysical trenches were excavated to investigate these anomalies. Only one area of archaeological interest was uncovered in these trenches, the remainder of the anomalies proving to be field drains or geological responses. Magnetic inclusions in the underlying geology caused problems for the magnetic survey and, based on the results of the initial testing in Area 2, it was decided that geophysical survey in the remainder of the development area would be of limited use.
Archaeological sites identified as a result of the testing exercise include a large circular enclosure, possibly Neolithic in date, eight spreads of burnt-mound material and a souterrain. A section of a pit in the interior of the large enclosure produced two stone axes and some prehistoric pottery. A section of the enclosing ditch produced two hammerstones. Also identified was a small ring-ditch that may date to the Bronze Age/Iron Age, a possible enclosure (date unknown), two possible prehistoric houses and various pits.