2010:446 - Scoil Mocheallóg National School, Kilmallock, Limerick

This development for a new primary school had been previously assessed and test-trenched in 2007 (Excavations 2007, No. 1123, E3624). Archaeological remains were found during that assessment and the development at that location did not proceed. The development was subsequently moved further to the west of the town of Kilmallock, which incorporated a 40m buffer zone for the historic town defences and a 20m buffer zone around the megalithic structure to the south of the development site. This new site for the new school was assessed and test-trenched in 2010.
The walkover inspection of the site noted the megalithic structure and the town wall of the historic town of Kilmallock. It also identified the ‘hollow way’ feature or track running from north to south at the western end of the site. This was tested by Trench 10 and found not to have cut ditches and the low banks seemed to have been created through the continued use of the track. From the map evidence (first-edition 6-inch) Ash Hill Lough (now drained) would appear to have been the destination of this track, although the track itself is not marked on the map. Two field boundaries were also marked which were no longer extant. As no dating evidence was found associated with this feature, it was very difficult to date. It could be medieval in date, especially if the lough was used during this period, but without secure dating evidence this can only be speculation. During the analysis of the aerial imagery of the site an unrecorded barrow was noted and this was positively identified in the field and recorded. The barrow lay over 100m to the west of and outside the subject site. Denis Power of the ASI provided this monument with SMR LI047–102.
A new feature was also located along the town wall, immediately to the south of the bastion mound. This feature does not appear to have been recorded before, possibly due to the fact it was covered in vegetation. It would appear to be a gun port.
Ten trenches were excavated at the site by machine using a flat-edged bucket, each 1.2m in width. A total of 420 linear metres were excavated. Trenches 1 and 3 contained agricultural furrows at their southern ends. These features were difficult to date without associated datable artifacts. These features are not usually considered archaeological in their own right, but have been excavated when associated with an archaeological site or monument. It is estimated that these furrows are post-medieval or early modern due to their size, shape and orientation. They were not associated with any archaeological feature from the trenching.
The remainder of the trenches did not reveal any archaeological features. However, some artefacts recovered from the topsoil date to the medieval period and later. These pottery fragments may have been deposited at the site in the medieval period, but it is more likely that the sherds were deposited in the field as manuring or rubbish from the town was spread on the adjacent land. No artifacts were associated with archaeological features.
As no archaeological features were found during the course of this testing it is likely that the new school development will proceed at this location. Due to the scale of the development and its location adjacent to the historic town and megalithic structure, monitoring was recommended as further mitigation.