2008:1050 - Achonry, Sligo

The site of the proposed development in the townland of Achonry is c. 4 miles from the town of Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. The development will include the construction of an animal-testing facility, garage, access and services. The site is not near any known monuments. The closest monuments to the proposed development site include SL038–005 (barrow) and SL038–006 (barrow), located 220m north, and SL038–007 (barrow), located 200m to the south of the proposed development site. However, significant amounts of likely prehistoric archaeological features were revealed on the site of the proposed development.
Four test-trenches were excavated across the site. All measured 1.5m wide and were excavated to a depth of between 0.25m and 0.55m. Trench 1 measured 140m long, orientated roughly north–south and curving along the line of the proposed access road. Trenches 2–4 measured 40m long and were located across the footprint of the proposed testing facility. A number of likely archaeological features were revealed within Trench 1, while Trenches 2–4 were clear of any evidence for archaeological activity. A total of nine cut features, including pits and linear ditches, were revealed in Trench 1 in addition to a huge amount of chert and flint recovered. Most of it appears to be natural, unmodified nodules, although about a dozen show various signs of having been worked by humans such as negative flake scars and even some retouch. The chunky appearance of these lithics would indicate they are likely to be Bronze Age in date.