2009:589 - BELLANALOOB/ARDNACALLY/ ROBEEN/BALLINROBE DEMESNE/CORNAROYA/ KNOCKFEREEN/RATHKELLY, Mayo

The Bord G$is networks feeder and distribution mains for Ballinrobe town and environs involved the laying of a gas distribution main within Ballinrobe town and a feeder main which extended for a distance of 17km north-eastwards from the town to connect to the existing transmission pipeline at Knockroe, Mayo Abbey, Co. Mayo. Six test-trenches
were opened along the route of the feeder and distribution mains in May 2009. Three test-trenches were opened within the
historic town of Ballinrobe. A cobbled surface was uncovered at a depth of 0.9m on the east side of the bridge at Bridge Street. The existing bridge was built in 1845 but it is likely that the cobbled surface is associated with the earlier bridge and may be contemporary with the complex of 18th-and 19thcentury mill buildings located on the opposite bank of the river. Given the depth of this particular section of cobbling, it was considered likely that this feature could be preserved in situ during subsequent development works. Two trenches were opened in the vicinity of the Church of Ireland church at Church Lane. The existing church is believed to occupy the site of the medieval parish church of St Mary’s. No archaeological material was uncovered in these trenches.
Three trenches were opened within the areas of constraint for MA100–135 (enclosure), MA100–136 (enclosure) and MA110–048 (ecclesiastical remains), which are located along the route of the proposed feeder main. No archaeological material was uncovered in the vicinity of the enclosures but fragments of disarticulated human remains were exposed in the trench located within the area of constraint around the ecclesiastical complex at Robeen. A second test-trench, 15m long, was opened on the opposite side of the road and further disarticulated human remains were uncovered. Four test-pits were subsequently opened, two to the north and two to the south of the second test-trench, in order to establish the extent of the archaeological material. Disarticulated human remains were uncovered in one of the test-pits located to the north of the test-trench. As a result of this extensive programme of testing, it was agreed that a 96m section of the feeder main would be inserted by means of directional-drilling at a depth of 2m below the road surface thereby providing a 0.9m buffer below the archaeological material and ensuring preservation in situ of same.

Subsequent monitoring of development works was carried out from May to September 2009. Features uncovered during monitoring included further sections of cobbling both east and west of the bridge on Bridge Street, two pits at Abbey Street and two fragments of timber at Friarsquarter West. The cobbling and timbers were preserved in situ and the pits were recorded in section.