2008:923 - Nymphsfield, Mayo

Pre-development testing and monitoring undertaken in 2007 as part of the construction of a proposed car and bus park in Nymphsfield, Cong, by Mayo County Council identified several features associated with the mid-19th-century Corrib–Mask Canal (Excavations 2007, No. 1232). The area is located on the east bank of the Cong River and lies within the eastern part of the zone of archaeological constraint surrounding the town of Cong, MA120–053(01–15). Further works were conducted in 2008 and, following consultation with Mayo Council and DoEHLG, the carpark was redesigned to incorporate elements of the canal and the recently identified associated features.
A section of 19th-century paving will be left open for public viewing at the southern area of the site. The rest of this paving will be covered with terram and preserved in situ. The covered features will be delineated in the finished carpark surface using limestone edging.
Along the edge of the extant section of the canal a sympathetic limestone wall was constructed to tie in with the stonework of the existing bridge. A new public access path was then built on top of the new wall and returned at right angles over modern backfill in the canal. The unexcavated modern backfill was stabilised by revetment with heavy rock armour.
The unstable eastern wall of the dry canal was recorded and preserved in situ. Two public display ‘windows’ have been created – one of which shows a portion of the quarried bedrock with chisel marks visible.
A section of the canal which was backfilled in the 1980s will be utilised for bus parking. The unfinished western side of the canal that was revealed will be preserved beneath the carpark surface and its outline marked by limestone paving. A series of information panels will be erected.