County: Westmeath Site name: Lissywollen
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06E0713
Author: Tim Coughlan, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 9 Albert Terrace, Meath Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 605699m, N 741325m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.422012, -7.914250
Testing was undertaken at Lissywollen, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, prior to a proposed residential development. Test-trenching took place on 24 October 2006 using a 13-tonne mechanical excavator equipped with a flat, toothless bucket. Seven trenches were excavated within the area identified as Area of Archaeological Potential (AAP) 1 in the EIA (IAC Ltd 2004), which consisted of a mound depicted on the first-edition OS map (1838). The test-trenching did not identify any features of archaeological significance. The raised area identified as AAP1 is formed by a natural geological feature consisting of a sandy/stony ridge. This feature was then utilised as a demesne feature during the 19th and early 20th century. The remains of mature trees were noted around the periphery of the mound.
A record of the accessible structures on site, such as the remaining walls of the walled garden associated with the retreat house, and its lodge, was carried out by Faith Bailey of IAC Ltd. It should be noted that rampant vegetation growth over these features prevented a detailed record being taken.
