2011:248 - CARTRON, Galway

An archaeological investigation was carried out at Cartron Townland, Loughrea, between 21 and 25 February 2011. The work was undertaken in response to mitigation measures outlined by Hugh Carey (DoEHLG) pertaining to the development of an agricultural shed that resulted in damage to GA104-099, classified as a cashel. The development was constructed without a grant of planning from Galway County Council or consultation with the DoEHLG. The shed occupies an area of 323.3m2 and was built in the eastern half of the poorly preserved remains of a roughly circular cashel (28m north–south) delimited by a drystone wall overlain by a modern field wall. According to the landowner, much of the interior of the cashel was mechanically cleared down to natural boulder clay prior to construction. These groundworks completely removed the upper deposits in the interior of the site and removed a portion of the drystone enclosing element from the north-north-east through to the south-south-east.
Following a site visit carried out by Department archaeologists, a recommendation was made to prepare a report assessing the damage. This assessment allowed for retention of the shed on condition that the following works be undertaken: the potential for improving the visual amenity and condition of the cashel wall by the removal of scrub should be considered; the area between the shed and the cashel wall should be trowelled back by hand and features recorded; and the section face adjoining the cashel wall should be cleaned by hand and recorded, prior to being protected by a geotextile layer, held in place by stable soil at a suitable gradient.
Following consultation with the National Monuments Service, it was agreed to clear back the hardcore mechanically in the yard adjoining the shed to the west and to excavate two trenches in areas that would have coincided with the projected line of the cashel wall.
Trench 1 ran parallel to the northern gable wall of the shed and measured 8m long by 1.5m wide by 0.45m deep. It was sited to cross the conjectural arc of the cashel to the north-east. Excavation along the south-facing section face exposed two limestone boulders on edge and placed 2.5m apart on top of boulder clay. Between these boulders was a friable dark silty clay layer. This context was interpreted as the original surface layer and suggests that the rubble core of the wall was built on unprepared ground. Excavation in Trench 2, located along the northern arc of the cashel, exposed two large stones 2.5m apart, interpreted as foundation stones for a double-skinned wall with a rubble core. Trench 2 was sterile, exposing only natural clay with occasional large stones. From an examination of the exposed section faces, the interior had been mechanically scarped out to an average depth of 0.3m, removing any trace of internal features.
In accordance with agreed mitigation, the site was photographed, surveyed and partially cleared of overgrowth. What remains of the cashel is now largely obscured by mounded stones from field clearance and overgrowth. The cashel wall, however, does survive intact from the south-east through the west to the north-east. From an examination of what remains, it would appear that the cashel was a double-skinned wall with a rubble core approximately 2.5–3m in width. The stratigraphy would suggest that the interior and exterior skin walls were set into natural ground and were built up to a height of 1.5m. Internally the site measured 28.5m in diameter. There was no extant evidence for any features such as cuts, post-holes, pits, a souterrain etc. No finds were recovered during the investigations of the site.

Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd (MOORE GROUP), 3 Gort Na Rí, Athenry, Co. Galway