2006:1670 - Scotch Corner Landfill, Clontibret, Monaghan

A landfill site had been operational in this location since 1981 and this was the third period of expansion since that date. The area to be monitored measured c. 25,000m2; the work was undertaken by the writer and Peter Kerins over a period of c. three months from late April to early July 2006. The site is set within the drumlin terrain of County Monaghan north-east of a cluster of lakes named Six Mile Lough. The site consisted primarily of a partly flooded and boggy peatland, with the eastern section representing a former lake identified on the OS maps as Little Lough. Peat deposits within the site were 0.5–6.15m deep; however, excavation continued for a further 7.5m into underlying deposits – i.e. waterlogged brown silty clay, lacustrine clay, blue boulder clay and bedrock. Due to the aqueous nature of the terrain the excavations were undertaken largely below the water table with consequent difficult conditions. No finds or features of any archaeological significance were uncovered at the site.