2009:783 - WESTBURY HILL, WESTLAND ROAD SOUTH, COOKSTOWN, Tyrone

The site is located on lands at Westbury Hill off Westland Road South, Cookstown. It measures c. 240m north–south by 240m at its widest point with an access leading off Westbury Road. It is currently open pastureland. The proposed development concerns the construction of 126 dwellings, including 12 detached properties, 8 semi-detached properties, 40 townhouses and 66 apartments. The site lies within an archaeologically sensitive area with nine archaeological sites within a 1.5km radius.
One of these sites, enclosure TYR029–004, lies within the actual boundaries of the proposed development site.
Twenty-one test-trenches were opened across the proposed development. Two of these were strategically placed in order to bisect the traditional location of the enclosure. Evaluation was carried out between 8 and 14 January 2009 and, out of the twenty-one trenches excavated, fourteen revealed deposits of archaeological potential, the majority of these being pits and post-holes. The two bisecting trenches revealed a ditch, which enclosed an area some 34m in diameter. A number of internal features were also uncovered, one of which has been interpreted as a possible kiln.
Although a sub-sample of the deposits uncovered was appropriately investigated by hand, no dating evidence was uncovered. However, the enclosure has been interpreted in the SMR as a rath, and dates to the Early Christian period. In addition, there are two raths (TYR029–003 and TYR029–005) visible from the proposed development. Due to the presence of the enclosure within the boundaries of the site, and with two others visible from the site, it might be suggested that the archaeological activity within this area may be contemporary and forms part of a wider Early Christian landscape.