2006:829 - MOYODE, Galway

Excavation work was carried out on behalf of Galway County Council prior to the commencement of construction on the N6 Galway to Ballinasloe scheme (Contract 2). Phase I test excavation (Excavations 2005, No. 634) revealed banks and mounds that represented the remains of a complex of structures and associated field walls.

Excavation revealed two stone-walled fields on either side of a three-roomed cottage. A spread of rubble and mortar to the south-east of the cottage was likely to represent the remains of a second structure. A third structure, likely to be a shed or small byre, was identified at the north-western corner of the larger of the two fields.

The north-western structure was rectangular and consisted of a wall measuring an average of 1m thick, 24m in length and a maximum of 0.5m in height. The walls were constructed of randomly coursed, roughly hewn stones, with a rubble core in places. They also exhibited traces of mortar bonding and plaster rendering. A possible entrance was located in the west wall. There does not appear to have been a south wall associated with this structure. There was a spread of associated collapse on the interior and exterior of the walls. A number of artefacts were found in association with the collapse from this structure, including a number of metal objects. These artefacts include a knife, button, scissors and door hinge, fragments of glazed pottery and fragments of clay tobacco pipes.

The partial remains of two field boundary walls associated with the structure were also identified in this area. One wall defined the southern and western limits of the field, with only the lowest course surviving in situ. The remains of the upper courses were identified as a spread of collapsed stones. This collapse was noted on both sides of the wall. The second wall abutted the north-eastern corner of the structure and extended eastwards. The lower two courses of this wall survived and extended for a length of 2.4m from the structure. There was then a gap, and to the east of this only the lower course survived. This lower course was 8.5m in length and the line of the wall was less clearly defined. The remains of the upper courses were identified as a spread of collapsed stones on both sides of the wall. Within this area a number of cultivation furrows orientated north–south were identified.

Towards the eastern end of the second wall a subrectangular stone-lined structure was incorporated into the construction. It measured 4.3m north–south by 2.6m.

Approximately 10m south-west of the south-western corner of the field were the demolished remains of a stone-built cottage measuring c. 11m north–south by 6m. After the removal of a spread of rubble and slate representing the collapsed upper courses and roof of the building, two internal dividing walls were identified within the cottage. The internal faces of the walls were plastered with a probable limewash. The floor of the cottage was of concrete covered with a thin layer of plaster. Finds recovered include glazed post-medieval pottery of probable 18th/19th-century date, a teapot, a number of pieces of glass—vessels and window glass—and metal finds that include a number of locks and part of an iron cauldron.

Post-excavation analysis of the finds and environmental material recovered from the site is ongoing. The work was made possible thanks to funding from Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority.

Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork