2007:581 - Ballinillaun, Galway

Phase 1 archaeological investigations and townland boundary surveys commissioned by Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority were undertaken along the 27.2km N18 Oranmore to Gort (Glenbrack to Rathmorrissey) national road scheme.
In an area where the proposed route will traverse the River Clarin, in the townland of Ballinillaun, archaeological investigations comprising field-walking, metal detection and topographical surveys were conducted. At the intended point of crossing, the Clarin River is a narrow water body within canalised banks. This is not known to be a historic fording place and there are no visible remnants of, for example, revetment works within the banks that would add interest to this particular part of the river. Nevertheless, as ancient archaeological objects are sometimes retrieved from drainage upcast from riverbeds, the crossing point was considered to be of some potential archaeological interest.
An area measuring 50m by 30m was metal detected using a hand-held metal detection device. This encompassed the width of the river crossing and the banks on either side of it. In addition to the metal-detection survey, the banks and streambed were inspected to seek visible remnants of structures, features, deposits or finds of archaeological interest, either in the riverbed or in upcast material arising from former drainage works. A topographical survey of this area was undertaken using a total station, showing the height of the banks and the depth of the river at this point. The investigations produced no evidence of features, deposits or finds of archaeological significance.