2006:455 - Lough Eask Demesne, Donegal

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Donegal Site name: Lough Eask Demesne

Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: 06E0657 ext.

Author: Christopher J. Farrimond, FarrimondMacManus Ltd, 150 Elmvale, Culmore, Derry, BT48 8SL.

Site type: No archaeological significance.

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 595604m, N 882206m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.687958, -8.068168

Monitoring was undertaken in December 2006 within the footprint and immediate vicinity of Lough Eske Castle during redevelopment works at the site. The overburden, which consisted of a mix of accumulated soil wash and rubble from the collapsed portions to the rear of the castle, was removed under supervision to expose the floor levels of the 1861 castle which are to be retained within the development proposal. The floor levels themselves do not appear to date to the 19th century but rather to the reuse of the building as a hotel during the 20th century. The current development proposal also provides for the retention of many of the standing features of the historic buildings at the development site. In particular, it provides for the retention and restoration of the front south elevation of the 19th-century castle (DG094–005), which is currently in a poor state of repair, the existing 1911 building elevations and the possible 17th-century long range to the rear of the castle building.
No previously unrecorded archaeological features or artefacts were identified during the course of monitoring at the site.