County: Galway Site name: Coldwood (Foorkill)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA096–066 Licence number: E003697
Author: John Lehane, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 545817m, N 724099m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.264469, -8.812165
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 environmental impact statement as one that would require topsoil-stripping to ascertain the character and extent of any archaeological features or deposits present on or in the direct vicinity of the ringfort and souterrain.
An area of 50m by 40m was topsoil-stripped adjacent to the monument by a 14-ton 360° tracked machine using a 1.85m-wide toothless bucket. No archaeological deposits, cuts or artefacts were found during the programme of works at this location. Grass growth and coverage was good but root depth was relatively shallow at c. 0.05–0.08m due to the high clay content. In places the clay layer measured 1.7m deep to the glacial sands and bedrock; all overlying deposits were sterile of both organic sediments and archaeological material.
