2010:361 - Innplot, Oranmore, Galway

Testing was undertaken at Páirc An Clochar, Innplot, Oranmore, Co. Galway, between 30 November and 3 December 2010 on behalf of Associated Design Ireland Ltd. Covering a large area of over 13,500m² the development is a mixture of commercial units, hotel, bar, office space, crèche, museum, medical centre, residential units and underground and overground parking for numerous vehicles.
In August 2010 human remains were exposed in a section face during excavation of pipe works in the vicinity of an area previously excavated by Tamlyn O’Driscoll of the Moore Group (Excavations 2008, No. 574, 08E0040). The site was inspected and found to be in close vicinity to the graveyard-associated site GA095–111, separated by a boundary wall in the south-eastern end of the development. After consultation with Mr Hugh Carey (DoEHLG), a two-stage strategy was agreed. Stage 1 was the cleaning of the exposed section face and recording of the stratigraphy and the remains identified. This work was undertaken in August by a team of two (including a qualified osteoarchaeologist). The next stage of works was the removal of topsoil/overburden by hand in an attempt to establish if there were any grave-cuts evident. The trench excavated consisted of three portions as the presence of a number of large boulders across the site prevented the excavation of one complete trench. One possible grave-cut with associated human remains was identified during this work, as was a possible linear feature. In addition, the presence of additional buried human remains was established though it remains unclear if these represent fully articulated burials or disturbed remains. Fragments of human bone, which were uncovered during the excavation of the cemetery topsoil/overburden, were retained and analysed.