2006:1712 - Warren or Drum, Boyle, Roscommon

The site of the proposed development is located in the townland of Warren or Drum situated on the north-eastern outskirts of Boyle, Co. Roscommon. The development site is located over a low hilltop overlooking the Boyle River to the north. The proposed development site consists of two separate field plots (Field 1 to the south and Field 2 to the north respectfully) divided by a mature hedgerow with trees. The proposed development is to consist of fifteen dwelling houses. The northern portion of the site (Field 2) is situated within RO006–026 (Ecclesiastical Remains). This site consists of a church, souterrain and field system. The proposed development extends into the eastern portion of the field system. The southern portion for the proposed development was tested with the excavation of four trenches measuring 1.8m wide. Trench 1 measured 30m long, Trench 2 was 200m long, Trench 3 was 140m long and Trench 4 was 70m long. All trenches were excavated to a depth of 0.3–0.6m. No evidence of archaeological activity was revealed.
The northern portion of the proposed development site (Field 2) was subjected to an extensive topographical and geophysical survey. This revealed a number of potential archaeological features, namely linear banks/ditches associated with the field system and a possible circular anomaly. Most of these would be avoided by the proposed houses and related services in this portion of the site. The proposed house locations and the anomalies were tested by machine, revealing a single early field boundary in the north-west corner of the site. This ditch, 1.05m wide and 0.2–0.3m deep, was fully exposed to a length of the 11m within the site. Five hand-excavated sections were inserted along its length, revealing no further features or finds. The remainder of the ditch was removed by machine under supervision.