2012:617 - WALTERSTOWN AND CARRICK, Westmeath

Testing and monitoring were carried out within the townlands of Walterstown and Carrick as part of the N52 Carrickbridge to Clonfad road realignment scheme. A testing assessment of a proposed materials storage area was undertaken within Waltertown, whereas monitoring was carried out within two areas (A and B) in the townland of Carrick. These areas were not accessible when the scheme was originally tested by Yvonne Whitty, IAC Ltd, in 2010 (Excavations 2010, No. 666, 10E0371).

Test trenching took place within the townland of Walterstown on 2 April 2012. This was carried out using a 20-tonne excavator, with a flat, toothless bucket, under supervision. A total of nine trenches (846 linear metres) were mechanically excavated across the test area, which measured 1.43ha. A total of 11.8% of the proposed storage area was subject to assessment. The westernmost point of the site was not accessible due to overhead power lines.

The first edition OS map of 1838 shows a trackway running north-south across the test area. This was the only feature that was identified during testing. A section was excavated across the remains of the track, which indicated that it was flanked on the western side by a ditch. Some disturbed cobbling, likely to represent the former track surface, was also present.

Monitoring of the two areas within the townland of Carrick was carried out on March 12 2012. The topsoil was stripped from the areas using a 20-tonne excavator with a flat, toothless bucket. Nothing of archaeological significance was identified during the monitoring programme.