2006:AD6 - Donegal, Donegal

Test excavation and monitoring of excavations associated with the Donegal broadband project were carried out from August 2006 to April 2007. Prior to development, a series of seven test-trenches were excavated along Bridge Street and Castle Street in the environs of Donegal Castle. A potential medieval deposit was encountered near the south-east angle tower of the bawn wall. It consisted of grey, dark-brownish silt that contained animal bone, marine mollusc shells and a single green-glazed medieval strap handle. This deposit extended from 0.4m beneath the street surface to the base of the excavated test-trench (0.95m beneath the street surface) and extended for 2.7m. The deposit was not uncovered during subsequent hand excavation of the reduced-depth broadband trench.
The excavation phase of the project involved the opening of a series of trenches throughout the town centre and its surrounding infrastructure. All of the trenches were located along roads, either in the carriageway proper or in the adjoining verge or footpath. There were no river crossings other than at existing bridges. The trenches were 0.6m wide and were excavated to a standard depth of 0.9m in carriageways and 0.6m in verges/footpaths. Junction boxes (1.25m2) were excavated where two or more trenches intersected and at regular intervals along long straight sections.
Other than the deposit uncovered on Castle Street, no further archaeological features, finds or deposits were uncovered.