2015:017 - Friarsquarter West, Claremorris Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Mayo

Archaeological Test Trench Investigation of the proposed site of a Primary Care Centre for Ballinrobe took place on Tuesday 24^th February 2015, under excavation licence 15E0038. The investigation involved the excavation of c.437 linear metres of 2m-wide trenches across the site using a 13-ton tracked machine under direct archaeological supervision. Two previously unknown archaeological sites (burnt spreads Friarsquarter West 1 & Friarsquarter West 2) were uncovered within 15m of each other in the southeast corner of the site. No archaeological finds were observed or recovered during the investigations. No other archaeological features were observed anywhere else within the site.

Friarsquarter West 1
Located to the southeast of the site, Friarsquarter West 1 measured c.7.5m by 5m in size. The feature consisted of an irregular shaped spread of heat cracked stones covered in charcoal. The stones ranged in diameter from 0.05m to 0.1m, and there appears to be a good presence of shattered sandstone within the mix. The spread was patchy, more concentrated to the south, where a pencil trench showed a depth of not less than 0.25m. In other areas the spread appeared quite shallow, but as the trench quickly filled with water, it was impossible to investigate further. The site is covered by a thick ploughzone soil layer, and sits directly on natural sub-soil. It would appear that the site has been reduced down in height over the years, probably through ploughing. Local information confirmed that the area was under the plough for many years in the past. There is no surface indication of the site. It is located in a very shallow dip in the field. The site was covered in a protective plastic membrane and carefully backfilled.

Friarsquarter West 2
Located in the southeast corner of the site, Friarsquarter West 2 measured c.2m by 2m in size. The feature consisted of a roughly square shaped spread of heat cracked stones covered in charcoal. The stones ranged in diameter from 0.05m to 0.1m, with a good presence of shattered sandstone within the mix. The spread was concentrated but as the trench immediately filled with water, it was impossible to investigate further. It has good defined sides and a high concentration of charcoal. The site is covered by a thick ploughzone soil layer, and sits directly on natural sub-soil. It would appear that the site has been reduced down in height over the years, probably through ploughing. Local information confirmed that the area was under the plough for many years in the past. There is no surface indication of the site. It is located in a very shallow dip in the field. The site was covered in a protective plastic membrane and carefully backfilled.

Magnus Archaeology, 57 Grianan Fidh, Aiken's Village, Sandyford, Dublin 18