County: Galway Site name: GALLAGH/LEVALLY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 08E0720
Author: Tamlyn O’Driscoll, Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd, Corporate House, Ballybrit, Galway.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 552666m, N 753786m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.531901, -8.713968
A programme of monitoring was carried out in various townlands as part of the Galway group water schemes Contract 4.6, Gallagh/Levally Scheme Co. Galway. The work was undertaken for Ryan Hanley Consulting Engineers, on behalf of Galway County Council. The proposed development entailed the improvement of water-treatment facilities and distribution networks for water supplies in two main areas: Area 1 was located 4.5km along the N83 road between Tuam and Dunmore and Area 2 comprised a 3km section of pipeline in the vicinity of Levally, Co. Galway. The full extent of the pipeline was constructed along existing roadways including minor roads.
Area 1 was left unmonitored due to the change in methodology from open trenching to directional-drilling works for the pipe installation. Trench excavations were, however, carried out in Area 2, in the vicinity of Levally. The affected townlands and monuments in Area 2 included Cappadavock (GA030–020), Curraghcreen (GA030–048), Ryehill (GA030–050) and Meelick East in Co. Galway.
Monitoring, in the form of regular site inspections, was carried out in October 2009. Generally works involved the mechanical excavation of a 1.2m-deep by 0.6m-wide trench to accommodate a 0.2–0.3m pipe. All the material encountered during the course of the groundworks consisted of either naturally occurring layers or recently laid down modern deposits. No materials of archaeological significance were identified throughout the course of the scheme.
