2015:188 - LAGHTY BARR, Leitrim

Testing was undertaken at the site of a proposed new car park facility and visitor access path adjacent to the Sean MacDiarmada Homestead in Laghty Barr townland, County Leitrim. The homestead is a National Monument (Nat. Mon. Ref. 508), and a recorded monument (LE0008-032). Leitrim County council have purchased land surrounding the homestead and part of this land will be developed to provide car parking facilities. A Part 8 planning report by Leitrim County Council resulted in the application for ministerial consent under section 14 of the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004 for works to proceed.

Three trenches were excavated in the area of the proposed access path and car park. Trench A was located in the west of the site in the area of the proposed access path. This trench was orientated north-east/south-west and measured 30m in length and 2m wide. The stratigraphy consisted of peat (0.8-1.1m deep) overlying a grey natural silt with moderate stone inclusions. Occasional pieces of unworked wood were recovered from the peat layer. Both Trench B and Trench C, which were located in the area of the proposed car park, were orientated north-west/south-east and measured 30m in length and 2m wide. The stratigraphy in both was similar and consisted of peat (0.75-1.1m) overlying a grey natural silt with moderate stone inclusions. No artefacts or features of archaeological significance were encountered in any of the trenches excavated.