County: Galway Site name: DOONAUN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA072-033 Licence number: 12E270
Author: Martin Fitzpatrick
Site type: NO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 556850m, N 737746m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.388114, -8.648665
Testing was undertaken in advance of a planning application for a single dwelling house, garage and treatment plant in Doonaun townland, County Galway. The site is located in an archaeologically rich landscape with finds from this and surrounding townlands suggesting human activity since the Neolithic/Bronze Age period. The location of a wedge tomb in the area is further evidence of prehistoric settlement. The proposed development is located c. 40-50m north of an enclosure (GA072-033) that was later adapted for a graveyard (GA072-03301). The proposed development will be located on an elevated site to the north-east of an existing farmhouse and will use the entrance drive to the existing dwelling as the access road. This roadway is located to the immediate west of the enclosure but has not interfered with the monument.
Testing involved the excavation of four trenches in the area of the proposed development. Three of the trenches revealed a natural gravel below the topsoil and/or subsoil while the fourth trench revealed a natural orange/brown silty clay. No finds or features of archaeological significance were encountered in any of the trenches excavated and the development of a dwelling house and associated services at this location will not impact on any archaeological layers or features.
Arch Consultancy Ltd, New Line, Athenry, Co. Galway
