2005:1327 - DEERPARK, Roscommon

The site is located in the townland of Deerpark, c. 1km north-east of Boyle town, Co. Roscommon. The site is situated on low, boggy ground between the canal and the Boyle River. The proposed development will consist of thirteen houses, accesses and related services. Ecclesiastical remains and a field system are located to the south of the site on the other side of the Boyle River. Of the original twelve test-trenches proposed for the site, only Trenches 1–6 were excavated. The depth of bog encountered on the site was not anticipated and made for very difficult excavation.
While the testing revealed no evidence of archaeological activity on the site, the depth of the trenches made a proper assessment very difficult. However, the construction method will have a minimal impact on any archaeological remains that may exist on the site and not revealed by the testing. The site is to be completely filled (raising overall ground level by 1–2m1) and the houses constructed on concrete rafts set on piles. Access roads are to be only partially excavated and supported on geotextile membranes over the soft peat. Infilling has already taken place on parts of the site, making the excavation of trenches even more difficult. All six trenches were excavated to a depth of 2–3m. Parts of the site are already covered with 1–2m of infill composed of mostly modern building debris, stone and heavy clay. The stratigraphy under the infill was relatively the same across the site. No evidence of archaeological activity was revealed.