County: Galway Site name: Coole Demesne
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA122–057 Licence number: E003705
Author: Gerry Mullins, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Tree ring
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 544513m, N 704991m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.092626, -8.828392
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 site-specific hand testing because of the presence of an earthwork. Where the results from hand testing were negative or inconclusive, machine-assisted topsoil-stripping and hand investigation of identified possible features was undertaken.
At Coole Demesne, twenty test-trenches measuring 2m by 1m were hand excavated in the area depicting an enclosed element or ring of trees on the early editions of the OS map. A further 280m2 was machine stripped at the marked location and in the environs of the possible site. No features, finds or deposits of archaeological significance were identified. When inspected for the environmental impact statement only one mature sycamore (still extant) marked the site, but the earthwork had been levelled. The possible tree ring was probably a landscape feature designed to beautify the parkland.
