2012:374 - CARRICKEENY, Leitrim

Testing was undertaken at Carrickeeny, Manorhamilton in advance of the construction of a windfarm. A total of twenty-six test trenches were opened across the imprint of the turbine bases, internal roads and sub-station site. Regarding testing works on the roads, some of which were already in situ, local information, gained from the current landowners, revealed the existing farm track/road was constructed around the first quarter of the 20th century to facilitate access to the higher ground for turf cutting. Documentary evidence showed it was built over a three-year period by a small group of men. No evidence of an earlier track was identified in any of the openings located on the existing road. No archaeological features or deposits were revealed in any of the other openings located on the site of the proposed new access roads, sub-station or turbines. However, a number of known archaeological sites are within the area—a ringfort, an enclosure, an earthworks and a mass rock (site)—as well as an extensive cave system.