2012:259 - Ballinasloe Bridge East, Ballinasloe, Galway

Testing was carried out in the environs of Ballinasloe East Bridge, Townparks, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway in October 2012 in advance of a phased flood relief scheme for Ballinasloe town. The project proposes the construction of two additional flood relief eyes in the Ballinasloe East Bridge in addition to constructing flood berms north and south of the bridge along its eastern bank. The bridge at Ballinasloe East is classified as both a Recorded Monument (GA088-047) and a Protected Structure (Reg. No. 221). The bridge consists of a four-arched structure built by the River Suck Drainage Board in 1887, with machinery to operate sluices. Along its eastern side the bridge incorporates part of Sir Henry Sidney's bridge of c. 1570. The earliest sections of this construction survive under the existing road and in three accessible arches opposite Ivy Lodge and Bawn (GA 088-040000-3). From the initial site visit it was evident that there was at least one potential archway to the west of the car park along the south-facing elevation.

Testing involved the excavation of 6 trenches to the north and south of the bridge and 6 test pits along either side of the parapet wall. Excavation was carried out using a tracked mini digger with a 1.2m-wide ditching bucket.

The trenches to the south of the bridge had a cumulative length of 72m and were all archaeologically sterile. The stratigraphy was uniform throughout consisting of a thin sod and topsoil overlying a brown/grey gravelly sandy clay.

Investigations on the northern side of the bridge had a cumulative length of 90m and did not expose any additional arches along the bridge. The only feature of interest was a lime-rich spread and a single modern fire found to the south of Trench 6. A number of modern pottery and glass sherds were also retrieved.

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