2006:1797 - M8/N8 Cullahil to Cashel Road Scheme, Tipperary

Non-disturbance assessment was undertaken of fourteen waterways impacted on by the proposed N8/M8 road scheme. These waterways include: R2 (stream), Aughnagomaun townland; R3 (stream), Moycarky townland; R4 (River Breagagh), Newtown and Galbooly Little townlands; R6 (Black River), Ballery and Borris townlands; R18 (Black River), Borris townland; R7 (Derheen River), Leigh townland; R8 (River Clover) and R9 (drainage ditch), Borris townland; R10 (peatland drains), Longfordpass townland; R12 (tributary of River Goul) and R13 (peatland drains), Islands and Fennor townlands; R16 (tributary of River Goul), Warrenstown townland; R17 (stream), Baunbrickeen townland; and R19 (stream), Glashare townland.
Visual inspection was employed to assess the archaeological potential at each of the river/waterway crossing locations. Magnetometry survey by handheld metal detection was deemed impractical at most of the waterway locations due to the high degree of vegetation cover present, vegetation cover greatly affecting the ground penetration capability of the metal detectors. A sizeable buffer zone was included at each survey location, extending the survey a minimum of 20m either side of the road-take. A photographic record of the existing river environment was made and, where possible, metal-detector anomalies were inspected and mapped using a total station. Profiles were taken at each survey location to highlight the topography of the watercourse. No archaeologically significant deposits/structures were encountered as part of the assessment.