2012:613 - MULLINGAR: Friars Mill Road, Mullingar, Westmeath

Test trenching was carried out on the footprint of a proposed extension to be attached to a 19^th-century Presbyterian church. The development will impact on a narrow strip of ground adjacent to the north and east walls and is in the vicinity of two of the six marked grave plots in the churchyard. A modern building adjacent to the east side of the churchyard partially extends into the original extent of the church property. A programme of test trenching by Mathew Seaver and monitoring by Donald Murphy (Excavations 1999, Nos 870-1, 99E0069 and ext.), both for ACS Ltd, were carried out in advance of its construction. Four unmarked burials of 19^th-century date were uncovered in the former south-east corner of the churchyard. It was noted that these may have been associated with a manse house in the property to the south, which was used as a hospital during a 19th-century cholera outbreak.

Testing revealed that the area to be impacted upon by the proposed extension had been previously disturbed by underground service trenches and the church foundations. There were no burials or archaeological features uncovered in any of the test trenches. Given the proximity of the development to known burials the proposed foundations have been designed to minimise ground impacts and a programme of archaeological monitoring during the construction phase was recommended.