County: Galway Site name: Caherweelder
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA103–084 Licence number: E003708
Author: Simon Ó Faoláin, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Well (‘Peter’s Well’)
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 544562m, N 716392m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.195080, -8.829631
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. Testing was carried out between September and December 2007. This area was identified in the EIS as one that would require site-specific hand testing to determine the existence and extent of archaeological features, deposits or finds associated with the known monument.
Two 2.5m by 0.75m trenches and one 4m by 1m trench were hand excavated on the site of the monument. The test-pit excavations confirmed the recorded designation of the monument as a well and indicated a central shaft or basin of drystone construction, probably very shallow, surrounded by one or more curvilinear settings of stone. A channel running from the well towards a nearby turlough also appeared to have some evidence of rough-stone bounding elements. The site is scheduled for full Phase 2 excavation in 2008.
