County: Tyrone Site name: Arvalee, Omagh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/15/19
Author: David Kilner, Gahan & Long
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 645068m, N 873773m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.610202, -7.302347
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken prior to the proposed construction of a new school building and associated ancillary accommodation at Arvalee, Omagh, Co. Tyrone.
A series of 13 test trenches were excavated by a mechanical digger fitted with a toothless bucket.
The proposed development site is irregular in shape, measuring approximately 225m west to east by 300m. It is located within the north-east extent of the former Lisnanelly Ministry of Defence (MoD) Barracks. As such, the proposed site has seen previous development with buildings, access roads and a parade ground/helicopter landing pads constructed upon it. Additionally, an area of mature tree plantation is located within the boundaries of the site. This mature tree planting is set around the former property, Drumarinna House, which was demolished prior to testing commencing. The northern belt of this tree plantation will be retained within the proposed development.
The testing found evidence of significant disturbance caused by the construction of the MoD buildings which formerly occupied the site. Indeed, MoD residential accommodation is still extant within the northern extent of the proposed development site and this, along with mature tree plantation within the centre of the proposed development area impeded the full archaeological testing regime being carried out.
However, the presence of these features suggests that sub-surface disturbance has already been carried out within these areas and any archaeological features or deposits which may have existed have been destroyed.
No archaeological deposits were identified during monitoring.
7-9 Castlereagh Street, Belfast BT5 4NE
