2006:App II - N6, Ballinasloe to Athlone road scheme in 2006, Roscommon

Outlined below is the suite of works (archaeological testing and townland boundary survey) carried out and completed on the N6 Ballinasloe to Athlone road scheme in 2006. The proposed scheme will be a dual carriageway, 20km in length, extending from the east side of Ballinasloe at Tulrush to the west side of Athlone at Monksland, in Co. Roscommon.

Archaeological works were carried out by Valerie J. Keeley Ltd. All work was commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Design Office and sponsored by the National Roads Authority.

MIHANBOY
Three low stone cairns in close proximity, non-archaeological
EIS Ref. 14/A034/E2831 (see No. 1744, Excavations 2006)
The cairns were interpreted as modern and the result of modern or early modern field clearance or field-wall removal. Nothing of archaeological significance was discovered during the excavation and no further work was proposed at this site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

TADUFF EAST/TADUFF WEST
Townland boundary
EIS Ref. 22/A034/E2899 (see No. 1755, Excavations 2006)
This was a straight north–south-running ditch (2.5m wide and 1m deep) with an intermittent bank (maximum 1m high) along its eastern edge. The ditch cut was U-shaped in section, with the bank formed of large, uncoarsed and randomly deposited limestone boulders and earth. The current boundary line is visible on the first-edition OS map (1851). The feature was interpreted as relatively modern. No further work was proposed at this site.
Tamás Péterváry, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

TADUFF WEST
Early modern vernacular building and associated features
EIS Ref. 23/A034/E2828 (see No. 1756, Excavations 2006)
The structure, the remains of a two-roomed house structure with a possible shed, is represented on the 1915-edition OS map as an isolated building apparently unserviced by any trackway but less than 100m away from the nearest serviced structure to the east. A full architectural survey is to be carried out at this site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

BELREA
Early modern limekiln
EIS Ref. 28/A034/E2825 (see No. 1709, Excavations 2006)
The kiln was damaged during other advance works associated with road construction and was impossible to fully assess safely during the Phase 1 testing programme. A single trench was excavated on the northern side of the kiln, which exposed part of the collapsed stonework and a portion of a possible flue. This site will be fully investigated as part of Phase 2 excavations in 2007.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

LIBERTY
Possible cairn, non-archaeological
EIS Ref. 45/A034/E2824 (see No. 1739, Excavations 2006)
This feature was a low natural mound topped with drain upcast and large boulders. A golf ball was found beneath one of the boulders. No further work was proposed at this site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

RATHPEAK
Possible prehistoric burnt mound, non-archaeological
EIS Ref. 61/A034/E2832 (see No. 1747, Excavations 2006)
No mound material was present, so this feature was interpreted as a naturally occurring lowland mound in a wetland setting. No further work was proposed at this site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

RATHPEAK
Possible prehistoric burnt mound, non-archaeological
EIS Ref. 62/A034/E2833 (see No. 1748, Excavations 2006)
No mound material was present, so this feature was interpreted as a naturally occurring lowland mound in a wetland setting. No further work was proposed at this site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

RATHPEAK
Early modern roadway/driveway
EIS Ref. 64/A034/E2834 (see No. 1749, Excavations 2006)
A tightly packed cobbled surface, flanked by a bank and ditch drainage system, was identified as an estate road associated with the Rathpeak House estate. This estate appears on the first-edition OS map (1851). Numerous buildings are associated with the main house and serviced by several roads. This site will be fully investigated as part of Phase 2 excavations in 2007.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

RATHPEAK
Early modern vernacular farm complex
EIS Ref. 65/A034/E2826 (see No. 1745, Excavations 2006)
A small complex of buildings were situated in the north-eastern corner of a field. This appears on the first edition OS map (1851) as part of the Rathpeak House estate. Numerous buildings are associated with the main house and serviced by several roads. This site will be fully investigated as part of Phase 2 excavations in 2007.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

RATHPEAK
Early modern field wall remnants
EIS Ref. 66/A034/E2827 (see No. 1746, Excavations 2006)
Testing revealed the remnants of an old field wall. This wall appears on the first-edition OS map (1851) as a tree-lined field wall within the confines of the Rathpeak estate and associated with the nearby avenue to Rathpeak House.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.

BALLYDANGAN
Possible earthen banked enclosure, non-archaeological
EIS Ref. 79/A034/E2822 (see No. 1707, Excavations 2006)
Testing at the interior and exterior of the possible enclosure revealed the site to be a natural formation of earth and stone. No further work was proposed at the site.
Bruce Sutton, Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.