2007:575 - VARIOUS, Galway

Phase 1 archaeological investigations and townland boundary surveys were commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority along the 27.2km N18 Oranmore to Gort (Glenbrack to Rathmorrissey) national road scheme. Centreline test excavations for this project were undertaken in five areas, each of which constituted at least five linear kilometres of the scheme. Test-trenches were excavated by a 20-ton 360° tracked machine with a 1.85m-wide toothless bucket. The trenches followed a standard array consisting of at least one continuous centre-line trench or parallel trenches to either side of the centre-line with offsets at either side at 20m intervals and to the limits of the footprint of the scheme. Testing commenced at Area 1 in the townland of Glenbrack and continued northward to Area 5 in the townland of Rathmorrissey. Many small sites were fully investigated during Phase 1 testing, with the remainder scheduled for full excavation during Phase 2, between January and June 2008.

Area 1: Glenbrack, Coole Demesne, Corker and Raheenkilkelly
Three irregular pits, containing similar fills of charcoal-rich material, were fully excavated at Glenbrack (Chainage 26300). Two of the pits showed evidence of in situ burning. A grey gravel and sand linear pathway, 5m wide and 0.2m deep, was identified in Coole Demesne. At both sides of the gravel was a 1.1m-wide shallow ditch. The pathway was not considered to be of archaeological significance. A human skull (probably of a young adult female) was recovered during investigations at Coole Demesne. The immediate area around the find site was excavated but no further traces of human bone were recovered, nor traces of any possible grave-cut. A number of possible features were identified and excavated but nothing cultural was uncovered, with the exception of a large pit filled with field-clearance boulders.

Area 2: Raheenkilkelly, Coolfin, Pollataggle, Ballymaquiff North, Ballyglass West, Cullenagh More, Drumharsna North and Owenbristy
A burnt mound was identified at Ballyglass West (Chainage 20100). It was 45m (east–west) by 25m and 0.51m in depth. At Cullenagh More (Chainage 18450), a sunken subrectangular feature measuring c. 4m by 4m was identified. Both sites are scheduled for full Phase 2 excavation in 2008.

Area 3: Owenbristy, Killeenhugh, Cloghboley, Parkatleva, Keamsellagh East, Kiltiernan West, Kiltiernan East and Caherweelder
A stone-walled enclosure, c. 40m in diameter, was identified at Owenbristy (ch 17250). The wall appears to be fully extant to the east at a height of 1.4m and width of 1.9m. Human bones of children, five human skulls and one pit containing burnt bone were identified in the interior. Five burnt mounds/spreads were identified in the townland of Caherweelder (between Chainages 12990 and 12090). All sites are scheduled for full Phase 2 excavation in 2008.

Area 4: Ballynastaig, Rinn, Roevehagh and Toberbracken
A supine extended burial (Chainage 12500) and a pit containing burnt material (Chainage 10150) were fully excavated in the townland of Rinn. A pit, 0.39m (north–south) by 0.49m and 0.13m deep, was fully excavated at Ballynastaig (Chainage 11850). A burnt spread, 1.2m (north-west/south-east) by 1.06m, was fully excavated at Roevehagh (Chainage 10050). Five separate areas of burning were exposed at Roevehagh (Chainage 9890). Only one of these features was half-sectioned, as the site will be fully investigated in Phase 2.

Area 5: Toberbracken, Lavally, Ballinillaun, Coldwood (Foorkill), Moyveela, Greethill, Derrydonnell More, Gortroe and Rathmorrissey
Twelve new sites were discovered. Five lay within the townland of Ballinillaun:
1. A low shallow mound of lightly heat-affected stones, an oval pit and deposit (fully recorded) (Chainage 6520)
2. A subrectangular pit, 3.18m long, 1.34m wide (north–south) and 0.38m deep, with heavily disturbed fills (fully excavated) (Chainage 6200)
3. A spread and a circular pit abutting another spread of heat-shattered stone (Chainage 6000)
4. A burnt pit and a possible spread with heat-shattered stone (Chainage 5650)
5. A possible post-hole and a circular pit containing a possible circular post-hole (Chainage 5550)
Two of the above sites are scheduled for full Phase 2 excavation in 2008.

At Moyveela, a burnt mound and associated large pit (Chainage 5340) and a burnt mound with evidence of in situ burning (Chainage 5250) were investigated. A clachan with sixteen drystone buildings and a possible cashel were identified at Moyveela (Chainage 4600). Three of these buildings lie within the road-take and will be fully excavated during Phase 2. A mound containing heat-shattered stone was recorded at Coldwood (Foorkill) (Chainage 3270). At Greethill, a deposit and two pits containing charcoal and heat-shattered stone were excavated (Chainage 2870). A pit with frequent charcoal and occasional oxidised clay was excavated at Derrydonnell More (Chainage 2800). A charcoal-rich deposit was excavated at Gortroe (Chainage 2400).

All sites not resolved during Phase 1 will be fully excavated during Phase 2 in 2008. All information gathered during both phases will form part of the post-excavation work.

Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway