2011:543 - MONEYGOLD, Sligo

Monitoring of the excavation of two trial holes at a site adjacent to Ahamlish Burial Ground (SL005-005002), near Grange, was carried out on 16 March 2011. The site in question, in Moneygold townland, was being assessed by Sligo County Council for its suitability for a proposed extension to the graveyard.
The field of pasture in which the trial holes were excavated slopes gently down from west-south-west to east-north-east. A stream runs along the eastern field boundary, which consists of the boundary wall of the existing Ahamlish graveyard. A low, curving bank is visible within the site, which could represent the remains of a section of an ecclesiastical enclosure. Associated with the graveyard, which is located to the east of the proposed extension site, is a church site (SL005-005001), a possible souterrain (SL005-005003) in the field to the south of the proposed extension, a cross-slab (SL005-005004), a cross (SL005-005005) and a possible cross-slab (SL005-005006). St Molaise’s Well (SL005-004001), a bullaun stone (SL005-004002) and an unclassified cairn (SL005-004003) are located a short distance to the west.
The first trial hole, which was located 17.3m from the eastern site boundary and 12m from the southern site boundary, measured 2.5m north-east/south-west, 1.1m wide and 2.1m deep. The second trial hole, which was 42.2m from the eastern site boundary and 21.5m from the southern site boundary, measured 2.4m east–west, 1.2m wide and 2.1m deep. The excavation of the two trial holes revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy. No artefacts were recovered. The use of a metal-detector (Registration No. R254) over the spoil, which was spread out for that purpose, revealed nothing. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo