2009:388 - CAHERWALTER/FARRANLYNCH/LOUGHREA, Galway

The Bord G$is networks feeder and distribution mains for Loughrea town and environs involved the laying of a gas distribution main within Loughrea Town and a feeder main which extended for a distance of 10km westwards to connect to the Craughwell distribution network. Fifteen test-trenches were opened along the route of the distribution main in late May/early June 2009. These trenches were located within the areas of constraint around GA105–150 (historic town of Loughrea), GA105–151 (ecclesiastical remains) and GA105–049 (ecclesiastical remains) prior to development.
Twelve test-trenches were opened at various locations within Loughrea. These included six trenches adjacent to bridges over the Watercourse, four trenches along The Walk, which runs parallel to the Watercourse and adjacent to the Carmelite abbey and graveyard (GA105–151), and two trenches adjacent to St Brendan’s Church and graveyard on Church Street. Disarticulated human remains were uncovered in one of the test-trenches located immediately south of the Carmelite abbey and graveyard at The Walk. The absence of human remains in the trenches located to the east and west indicated that the possible burial area did not extend for any considerable distance along The Walk. Furthermore, as it was already proposed to directional-drill this section of the route, preservation in situ was achievable. The drilling depth was set at 2m and launch and receiving pits for the drill were opened at previously tested locations, thereby ensuring preservation in situ of all archaeological material. Two possible pits were identified in one of the two trenches opened adjacent to St Brendan’s Church and graveyard on Church Street. No archaeological material was uncovered in any of the other trenches within the historic town of Loughrea, nor in the three trenches excavated within the area of constraint for GA105–109, an ecclesiastical site located to the east of the town.
Monitoring of development works was carried out from July to October 2009. All excavations within areas of archaeological constraint and in the environs of the historic town were subject to full-time monitoring, while excavations along the N6 from Loughrea to Craughwell were monitored intermittently. A number of features were identified during the monitoring programme. Several pits and stone culverts were recorded within the historic town but the main feature was a substantial wall extending east–west along the north side of Barrack Street.

Cartographic evidence suggests that this wall is associated with the old constabulary barracks. The first-edition OS map shows an elongated building on the north side of Barrack Street. This building appears to be part of the barracks complex and its alignment corresponds with the walling uncovered during trenching on Barrack Street. It is possible that the wall is associated with Loughrea Castle, which is recorded as having being located in this part of the town. Indeed there are many instances throughout the country where castles were used by the constabulary as sites for their barracks. The exposed sections of walling were recorded and preserved in situ. Features uncovered outside the historic town include a possible ditch, 9m wide and 1.8m deep, which was recorded in the west part of the area of constraint around GA105–049 (ecclesiastical remains) at Danesfort Road. This may represent part of an enclosing element around St Brigid’s Early Christian foundation. However, there was nothing to date this feature and its dimensions, profile and singular fill are not indicative of an Early Christian date. Furthermore there was no corresponding feature on the projected line of the ditch to the south of St Brigid’s Church at The Hill.
A spread of burnt material, 3.4m long and 0.3m thick within the trench, was exposed in section in the townland of Colesgrove some 2.5km south-east of consisted of sod and topsoil overlying subsoil which Craughwell. This was interpreted as part of a possible fulacht fiadh.