County: Galway Site name: Coole Demesne
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA122–059 Licence number: E003691
Author: John Lehane, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Cultivation furrows
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 544363m, N 704791m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.090814, -8.830596
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 archaeological features, deposits or finds associated with an enclosure.
A total area of 40m by 25m was topsoil-stripped, by a 14-ton 360° tracked machine using a 1.85m-wide toothless bucket, adjacent to the monument. Nine linear features were uncovered. Five of these (running north-west to south-east) were half-sectioned. These features were interpreted as modern cultivation furrows and therefore of no archaeological significance.
