2009:409 - LETTERMULLEN, Galway

Monitoring was carried out in various townlands as part of the Galway group water schemes Contract 4.2, Lettermullen scheme. 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 between Lough Hibbert, Maumeen and Trabawn, Co. Galway. The Lettermullen group water scheme was located c. 13km south-west of Cashla. The proposed pipeline was constructed in existing roadway in minor roads in the townland of Tr$ Bh$in. The route was initially proposed to go through an area of greenfield; however, due to on-site conditions, it was rerouted to follow the western side of the roadway. The proposed pipeline began at the existing reservoir to the west of the roadway in the townland of Tr$ Bh$in. It then continued north, where it joined another minor road running west to reach Lough Hibbert. A crann)g (GA090–012) is located in the middle of the lake. Monitoring was to take the form of regular site inspections.
Monitoring was carried out in December 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. Monitoring took place along the roadway and verges where the stratigraphy consisted of tarmac and hardcore (0.2m deep) overlying pockets of peaty silt (0.3m deep) and grey/white clay with frequent granite and sandstone glacial till. At the access way near the greenfield section, scrub grass overlay a mantle of peat overlying natural clay. 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.