2009:613 - GURRAUNARD, Mayo

Monitoring was undertaken of the topsoil-stripping and excavation of a trench for the laying of new water pipes in Gurraunard as part of Straide group water scheme refurbishment contract (Phase 4) on behalf of Blue Hills Consulting Civil and Structural Engineers.
The pre-existing road in Gurraunard truncated MA070–11301, an enclosure, with MA070–11302, a souterrain, located within the enclosure. The excavation of a trench for a new section of water pipe was designed to be located immediately beside the road surface on the road verge. This resulted in exposure of a ditch section of the enclosure and of a damaged and heavily disturbed probable section of a possible souterrain. Works were immediately stopped and redesign of the route of the water main was implemented.
Features uncovered included an enclosing ditch 2.4m in width and 0.92m in depth; however, the base of the depth was not uncovered. This ditch section was filled with one homogenous fill composed of mid-grey/brown sandy clay. A further 6–7.5m north, after the initial hand-cleaning of the trench, what appeared to be orthostats were revealed. Due to the width and depth of the trench little detail was gathered on these. However, they appeared to be limestone, 0.7m in depth and placed upright forming one side of a subterranean passage or souterrain. Above the souterrain and located in the interior of the enclosure was a deposit of grey/brown clay with pockets of sand. A maximum depth of 0.7m was recorded for this deposit. This appeared to constitute a deliberate attempt to increase the height of the surface in the interior of the enclosure, suggesting the enclosure may be an example of a platform rath.