County: Galway Site name: Knockaunglass, Athenry
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA084–001 Licence number: 07E0346
Author: Finn Delaney, Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Urban
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 550491m, N 727828m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.298437, -8.742692
An impact assessment, including the results of text excavations, was carried out to comply with a condition of the planning permission granted for the proposed development. The development includes a long-term carpark together with junction improvements and ancillary works at a T-junction in Knockaunglass, Athenry, Co. Galway. The proposed development lies within the zone of archaeological potential surrounding Athenry town. It measures 0.138ha and is located to the east of the medieval town.
Four test-trenches were excavated across the footprint of the development site using a large tracked excavator fitted with a 1.5m-wide toothless bucket. The siting of the trenches was established with consideration for the footprint of the proposed development and they were concentrated in areas where the depth of proposed disturbance was to be at a maximum. Trenches 1–3 were excavated in a north–south direction. Trench 1 was excavated in the south-eastern area of the site and was 13.5m in length. Trench 2 was excavated in the north-eastern area of the site. There was a possible ditch running north-east to south-west and a 0.5m section was placed through the feature. The ditch appeared to be modern in nature and was quite shallow. Both Trenches 1 and 2 contained a lot of modern rubbish and debris visible throughout the excavated deposits. Trench 3 was excavated along the western side of the site and was 31.5m in length. A concrete slab covering one of two petrol tanks was located at the northern end of the trench, with another one located 8.5m from the southern end. There was a high density of cut stone noted in the fill towards the southern end of the trench. Trench 4 was excavated along the northern end of the site in an east–west direction and was 15.5m in length. Two petrol tanks were evident at the western end of the trench and there was also a 0.15m-thick layer of tarmac evident. This deposit may represent the forecourt of the pre-existing garage. Nothing of any archaeological significance was noted in any of the four excavated trenches.
