2015:396 - DANGAN LOWER, Galway

Pre-development testing was carried out within the area of constraint for GA082-033 (Barrow – unclassified) at Dangan Lower, Galway on 20 January 2015. The Archaeology Survey describes the monument as an “overgrown steep-sided circular mound of earth and stone (Diam. 19.55m; H 2.78m). The top is flat and traces of a shallow fosse (Wth c.3m) encircle its base”. The proposed development comprises a cable route from Galway Wind Park, a large windfarm development south of Oughterard, to the existing Galway substation at Ballybrit on the east side of the city. On entering the grounds of the NUIG Sports Campus on the west side of the city the route passes through the area of constraint for GA082-033.

Testing comprised the opening of a single trench (L 48m; Wth 0.7m) along the section of cable route within the area of constraint for the monument. The trench passed within 6m of the monument in the 10m-wide corridor between the external perimeter of the monument and an ESB mast. Testing in this area revealed extensive previous ground disturbance, probably a result of works associated with the erection of the ESB mast here in the 1990s. The stratigraphy in the south of the trench consisted of grey/brown silty sand topsoil (depth: 0.3m) over orange/brown coarse sand and gravel. In the north of the trench dark grey/brown sandy silt topsoil (D 0.3m) overlay beige-coloured coarse sand and gravel. No archaeological material was found.