2007:1080 - Cloone, Leitrim

Pre-development testing was carried out in advance of a proposed sewerage scheme in Cloone, Co. Leitrim, on 29 January 2007. Testing was confined to a section of the route which passes through three back garden plots located immediately west of 033–008 (church site) in the north-east of the village. The monument comprises the conserved foundations of the early 19th-century RC church of Cloone. The transom of a high cross associated with a nearby ecclesiastical site (033–006) is displayed within the graveyard. The garden plots stand some 1.5–2m above the ground level in the graveyard and are separated from it by a substantial retaining wall. A single 20m-long trench was opened north–south through the garden plots. The presence of two service pipes in the southern 5m of the trench resulted in the depth of excavation being limited to 0.5m. However, across the remaining 15m the topsoil was 0.55m thick and overlay light-grey/brown and orange/brown clayey sand subsoil. A linear feature extended north-east/south-west across the trench about midway along its length. It was 1m wide and contained a sterile fill of light-grey/brown silt. No archaeological material was uncovered during testing.