2015:009 - BRICKEEN, Sligo

Pre-development testing of a site in advance of its development at Brickeen townland, 1km south-east of Castlebaldwin village in east County Sligo, was carried out on 12 January 2015. The proposed development consisted of the renovation and extension of a cottage, along with all associated site works and services. Pre-development testing was recommended by the Development Applications Unit (DAU), Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht due to the site’s location within the constraint for a ringfort (SL034-194). The proposed development site consisted of two fields of pasture which contained a deserted dwelling/cottage which was located 17m from the ringfort.

Testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of seven trenches located to best cover the area, especially that closest to the  monument. The trenches measured 6.7m, 19.9m, 14.8m, 17.6m, 15.6m, 10.5m and 16.6m long respectively; 1.8-2m wide and 0.2-1m deep.

Testing revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy, i.e. topsoil above natural subsoils, with two small areas of modern fill likely to represent activity associated with the deserted dwelling/cottage which appeared to be of 19th-century date. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence. None of the modern finds recovered from the topsoil and fill were retained.