2015:051 - Barrackhill, Burrishoole, County Mayo, Mayo

Pre-development testing at Barrackhill, Burrishoole was undertaken to ascertain if any archaeological features survive in the area of the proposed development of a community centre, playing field and associated services. The desk-based survey indicates the area as one of marshy ground with no recorded monuments in the immediate environs. The closest recorded monument is an earthwork (GA068:027) is located 250m to the south-east. The archaeological records also indicate that a castle (GA068:021) existed in the townland of Barrackhill, however its exact location is unknown. Testing indicated no evidence for this feature at this location. The excavation of six trenches throughout the area of the proposed development revealed nothing of archaeological significance with the stratigraphy consisting of peat overlying a natural grey silt and/or marl. The depth of peat in the north-west of the site, when coupled with the evidence of the surrounding landscape, suggests that this area was possibly once a small lake. The proposed development will not impact on any archaeological layers or features.

New Line, Athenry, County Galway