2005:1111 - LANNAGH ROAD, CASTLEBAR, Mayo

Pre-development testing was carried out prior to a commercial development at Lannagh Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, in April 2005. The development site is located immediately south-west of the zone of archaeological potential around the historic town of Castlebar (SMR 78:3) and immediately north-east of the area of constraint around ecclesiastical remains at Knockcroghery. The Castlebar River borders the site at the north and west, and the Lannagh Road forms the east boundary. A large cemetery, apparently the site of an Early Christian church from which the parish Aglish (eaglais) takes its name, borders the site at the south. The cemetery occupies a ridge running north–south on the east bank of Lough Lannagh. Castlebar was founded at the beginning of the 17th century (incorporated 1613) by John Bingham, ancestor of the Earls of Lucan. There is no evidence to suggest that it was a walled town, and there are no documentary references to indicate the development of the early town.
The development site is located at a bend in the Castlebar River to the south-west of the town centre. The entire site was formerly low-lying, boggy ground, but most of the area has been raised by several metres as a result of the importation of rubble onto the site in recent years. Testing was limited to the north-east part of the site, as this was the only area free of rubble fill. Five test-pits were opened on the site of a proposed retail unit. The stratigraphy was uniform across the tested area, with 1.8m of peaty silt overlying grey/white silt. The ground was extremely soft and boggy. No archaeological material was uncovered.