2010:482 - Capnagower, Clare Island, Mayo

Pre-development testing was carried out between 20 and 23 September 2010 at a site at Capnagower townland on Clare Island. The proposed development consists of the construction of a hostel, lodge, marine activities centre and reference library with public bar and restaurant, effluent treatment system and all ancillary site works. Testing was required, as six monuments were located within the area. These consisted of five fulachta fiadh, MA085–049–053 and an enclosure, MA085–054. One of the fulachta fiadh was not extant (MA085–051). The proposed development had the potential to adversely impact on only one of the fulachta fiadh (MA085–050).
The site was located along the east coast of Clare Island near Kinnacorra Point. It consisted of undulating poor pasture with rock outcrop and was enclosed by drystone walls. A marshy area was located in the north-western half of the site, drained by a stream running through its south-east end. The site was subdivided by drystone walls, especially in its south-eastern half, while the remains of former cultivation ridges or ‘lazy-beds’ were prominent along the north-west end and in the south-eastern half of the site.
Testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of seven trenches located to best cover the development area, especially that portion of the proposed access road which was near MA085–050. The trenches measured 33m, 39.3m, 5.3m, 43.2m, 9.9m, 40.3m and 34.4m long respectively, 1.4–2m wide and 0.1–0.9m deep.
Evidence of the burnt mound was revealed in two of the test-trenches excavated. Below the topsoil in the remaining five trenches were orange/grey/brown plastic sandy clay and orange/grey/brown loose sand (natural subsoils). No artefacts were recovered during testing.