2006:1798 - KILMASTULLA RIVER (Killalane and Ballinteenoe) and NENAGH RIVER (Lissatunny and Tyone), Tipperary

Non-disturbance archaeological assessment of two river impact areas associated with the proposed N7 Nenagh to Limerick dual carriageway project took place. The development works included a proposed river crossing located within the townlands of Killalane and Ballinteenoe (Kilmastulla River; Impact Area A026/211) and a road-widening endeavour within the townlands of Lissatunny and Tyone (Nenagh River; Impact Area A026/327). Visual inspection and magnetometry survey by handheld metal detection was employed to assess the archaeological potential of the riverbed and attendant bank structures at each impact location. A sizeable buffer zone was included within both river surveys, extending the survey 60m upstream and 60m downstream of the road-take at Site A026/211, and 40m upstream and 60m downstream of river impacts at Site A026/327. Detailed descriptions were made of river topography and bottom composition. A photographic record of the existing river environment was made and, where possible, metal-detector anomalies were inspected and mapped.

No archaeologically significant material or deposits were encountered. It was clear that both sections of river had undergone considerable alteration in recent years and that the archaeological potential of both areas has been greatly diminished as a result.