2007:1248 - TAGHEEN EAST, Mayo

Pre-development testing was carried out on 25 January 2007 at a site in Tagheen East, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. The proposed development was located within the archaeological constraint for ecclesiastical remains which consisted of Tagheen Church (in ruins) and a surrounding graveyard located a short distance to the south-south-west. There were no archaeological features visible within the proposed development site. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a dwelling house with separate garage, proprietary effluent treatment unit, septic tank and percolation area.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of four trenches located in the areas of most proposed disturbance. They measured 20m, 53m, 11.4m and 25m long respectively, 1–1.2m wide and 0.15–1.6m deep. Below the topsoil was fill, grey plastic clay and bedrock. The fill, which was the remains of a field boundary, contained a clay-pipe stem, a lump of iron slag and several animal-bone fragments. Apart from the fill, the testing revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy and nothing of archaeological significance.