2010:335 - Derrymaclaughna, Galway

Trial-trenching was carried out at the site of a proposed development in Derrymaclaughna, Turloughmore, Co. Galway, on 8–9 December 2010. Five trial-trenches were excavated at the site of a single-house development. Trenching revealed the presence of a ditch adjacent to the western limit of the site, in the proposed percolation area. The cut of the ditch was broadly U-shaped, sharper to the north and with a gentler slope to the south, and it measured 3.75m in width and 1.5m in depth. The ditch was filled with brown and dark-brown fills. There was no surface expression of this feature prior to excavation commencing and there was no evidence of upcast material from the ditch construction being used to form a bank on either side of the feature.
The ditch appeared to be orientated north–south and it may curve slightly to the south-east, though it was difficult to assess its exact line in the portion exposed. It cannot be confidently stated it was not a linear feature as opposed to part of a circular/subcircular enclosure and consequently its purpose is also unclear. There were no surface traces to assist in an interpretation and its location also makes a reading of the feature challenging, as it is below the northern terminus of a natural ridge. The ditch was not excavated further.