County: Galway Site name: Garraun Upper
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 12E70
Author: Dominic Delany
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 536587m, N 720616m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.232146, -8.949820
Test excavations were carried on the site of the proposed new Maree National School at Garraun Upper, County Galway in April 2012. A previous impact assessment (Dominic Delany & Associates, January 2012) noted that a significant number of prehistoric stone axeheads had been found in the area and for this reason it was recommended that the development should be preceded by a programme of testing. The area for testing comprised a green field play area measuring 80m east-west by 30m and located in the northern extent of the existing school grounds. Three test trenches (L 65m, Wth 2m) were opened. Testing revealed that ground levels had been raised at the eastern and western extents of the site, with up to 1m of rubble infill present. The central area was characterised sandy silt deposits over rock outcrop. The silt deposits had a maximum depth of 0.6m in the west decreasing to just 0.1m in the east where sheet rock occurs just below the existing field surface.
Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway
