2009:061 - GLEBE, TURNAROBERT, Antrim

NI Water proposed to construct a trunk main of c. 1.5km along the Glenshesk Road, Armoy, Co. Antrim, which would link to an existing trunk main extending along the Coolkeeran Road. Groundworks required for the new trunk mains consisted of the excavation of a continuous service trench along the Glenshesk Road.
During the initial stages of the excavation of the trench at the proposed route, a possible souterrain was identified. Gahan & Long Ltd were contacted by NI Water, via Atkins, to assess the find. Initial inspection proved that the feature was indeed a souterrain that was present in the north section face only. The feature was breached in a small area by the trench excavation. The interior of the souterrain could be viewed from the point of breach. The souterrain was not physically accessed, on health and safety grounds, as areas of collapse were seen within the feature. The breached area was located beside two chambers, the first of which ended abruptly. The second chamber appeared to continue in a south-west direction for some distance.
Previous archaeological works in the area had revealed evidence of two other souterrains. The newly identified monument, however, was located some distance from those identified in 1991 and 2004/2005 and was deemed unlikely to be a continuation of them.
Additionally, the proposed development works were in close proximity to three other known archaeological sites. The first site, ANT013–010, is a pre-Norman church and round tower, medieval parish church, and post-medieval church and graveyard (Armoy Church and Round Tower). St Patrick’s Church of Ireland (HB 05/05/10) is located within ANT013–010 and is recorded as a grade B1 listed building. The second site, ANT013–089, is recorded as an enclosure and souterrain and the third site, ANT013–068, is recorded as an aerial photography site.
Following the discovery of the new souterrain and based on the fact that the trench is located within a historical area of interest, NIEA requested that an archaeological programme of works be established and that monitoring of the trenching be carried out for the entirety of the proposed route.
Due to health and safety issues, it was agreed upon by all parties concerned that the souterrain identified during the initial stage of the groundworks was to be backfilled. Based on the suggestions put forth by NIEA, the entrance to the souterrain was blocked up with sandbags in order to protect the chamber from the imposing concrete. The entire area of the exposed souterrain was then filled in with concrete. The concrete was then smoothed over, all carried out under supervision.
Aside from the souterrain, no evidence of archaeological deposits was identified during the course of the evaluation.