2007:578 - Cross Street, Athenry, Galway

A programme of pre-development test-pitting was carried out on a proposed development site at Cross Street, Athenry, Co. Galway, on 10 and 11 April 2007. Nineteen test-pits, each measuring c. 2m2, were plotted on a 40m grid system and excavated using a tracked excavator fitted with a wide grading bucket. A total of fifteen features were uncovered. These comprised eight linear cuts, two subcircular features, three fire spots, a cobbled surface and a wall footing. The testing confirmed the findings of previous and more extensive programmes of testing at the site. There is much evidence of previous ground disturbance across the site, with a considerable depth of overburden present in some parts of the site and frequent cuts into the underlying subsoil. Much of the ground disturbance is considered to be associated with the development of Athenry House, but the site is known to retain considerable archaeological potential.