County: Galway Site name: Drumharsna North
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA113–109 Licence number: E003707
Author: Gerry Mullins, for Eachtra Archaeological Projects, Unit 10, Kilkerrin Park, Liosbain Industrial Estate, Galway.
Site type: Ringfort and killeen, environs
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 542825m, N 711589m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.151736, -8.854774
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 hand testing due to the presence of the monument. Where the results from hand testing were negative or inconclusive, machine-assisted topsoil-stripping and hand investigation of identified possible features was undertaken.
Thirty-five trenches were hand excavated at the location of the monument, yielding no evidence of the ringfort. A further 901m2 were machine-stripped on the marked location and environs of the possible site, and two additional test-trenches were hand investigated. This investigation yielded possible evidence for a former cashel that has been levelled and cleared for agricultural improvements. No certain evidence for a killeen was identified. The site is scheduled for full Phase 2 excavation in 2008.
