2012:260 - Garbally Demesne, Ballinasloe, Galway

Monitoring of site investigation work in Headford, Oranmore, Ballinasloe and Boyhill/Farranablake East to the south of Athenry town were previously carried out under Licence 11E0242 as part of the Galway Water Conservation Project (Excavations 2011, No. 263). Site investigation works were carried out to identify and detail all ground conditions and service locations which are pertinent to the design and construction of watermains.

It is now proposed to increase the scope of works in Ballinasloe Town to incorporate the construction of sewers proposed under the Ballinasloe Main Drainage Scheme, so that watermains and sewers proposed in the same streets can be constructed under a single contract.  Additional site investigation works were required to identify and detail all ground conditions and service locations which are pertinent to the design and construction of sewers in Ballinasloe Town.

During the course of monitoring additional slit trenches in St Joseph’s Place, the human remains of a juvenile were identified. Remains were located within one of the slit trenches excavated within the road to the north-east of the central green in St Joseph’s Place. Records from the Topographical Files of the National Museum indicate skeletal remains were reported during construction of this estate in 1955. Unfortunately no records exist on location of remains or details of what was uncovered.

A programme of testing was carried out in the vicinity of this trench to determine if there were further human remains or archaeological deposits in the vicinity. A total of 14 test trenches focused around the location of the initial juvenile burial identified were excavated along the proposed routes for sewer and watermains. Test trenches ranged from 1-1.5m in width and 6-15m in length, the majority of trenches measured 10m. All trenches were located along access roads/lanes around St Joseph’s Place.

Trenches 1, 2 5 and 9 had evidence for archaeological deposits. The remaining trenches showed no evidence for archaeological remains. The programme of testing helped determine the limits of archaeological material. Evidence from Trench 1 indcated considerable disturbance and possible dumping of fragments of human bone in a rubble layer beneath the road surface. Occasional fragments of loose human bone were also encountered in a rubble layer beneath the road surface in Trench 2. No archaeological material was uncovered in Trench 3. It was decided to excavate an additional test trench on the road to the south-west of Trench 2 to determine if human bone extended out further in this area. No human remains or archaeological material was exposed in Trench 2A. This provides a limit for potential archaeological layers on the south-west side in this area.

The absence of archaeological material in Trenches 5a and 6 provides a potential limit to archaeological remains/deposits on north-west edge of the estate.

The presence of possible archaeological deposits in Trench 9 indicates archaeological material extends to the north-east. The nature of material uncovered in this trench indicates it may form part of an enclosing ditch. No further material was exposed further to the south-east in Trench 8.

Evidence from testing suggests the actual location for GA087-083 Church and GA087-083001 Graveyard is 35-60m further to the south-west from the location marked on Archaeological Survey database. Based on evidence from testing it is recommended that the recorded location of the archaeological site is revised.

Connacht Archaeological Services, 19 The Meadows, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.