County: Mayo Site name: Ballyteige/Claggarnagh West/Claggarnagh East
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 10E0099
Author: Bernard Guinan, Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 505290m, N 798355m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.925884, -9.442020
The Clew Bay group water scheme (river compensation pipework) involved the laying of water pipe from an intake point at Beltra Lough, north-east of Newport in County Mayo, to a discharge point in the Skerdagh River c. 5km to the west. The pipeline was laid in the townlands of Ballyteige, Claggarnagh West, and Claggarnagh East. All groundworks associated with the scheme were monitored and testing took place within the constraint zone of MA068–002(01–02) – ecclesiastical remains, church and graveyard (Annagh cemetery).
The purpose of the pipework was to maintain water levels in the Skerdagh River for the protection of biodiversity in the area, in particular a population of the rare freshwater pearl mussels. Skerdagh River is a tributary of Newport River. Freshwater pearl mussels are found in the main channel of the Newport River at its confluence with the Skerdagh River.
Works were mainly confined to road and road verge and directional drilling was the main method used to lay pipe over much of the area. No archaeological finds, features or deposits were encountered during monitoring or testing.
