2006:1404 - Knockfereen, Ballinrobe, Mayo

Pre-development testing was carried out at a site at Knockfereen townland, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, on 8 June 2006. The proposed development, the construction of four townhouses, was located within the archaeological constraint for Ballinrobe town. No archaeological features were visible within the proposed development site, most of which was covered in tarmac, having served previously as a carpark for an adjacent pub and restaurant, now a private dwelling.
The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of three trenches, which measured 12.6m, 29m and 23.7m long respectively, 1.1–1.4m wide and 0.2–0.9m deep. Below the tarmac on the surface was hardcore. Below the hardcore was grey/brown friable silt loam. The silt loam contained several sherds of modern pottery, modern glass bottles and glass fragments. Below the silt loam was orange/brown compact clay. Below topsoil, which was found along a section of one of the trenches, was orange/brown firm clay loam. The topsoil contained several modern pottery sherds and modern glass fragments. A number of modern water services (12mm in diameter) crossed two of the trenches. A disarticulated animal burial was found just below the surface in one of the trenches. Several sherds of modern pottery were visible with the burial.
The testing revealed evidence of modern activity associated with the building located immediately west of the proposed development site. Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.