2016:417 - TINNAHINCH, Carlow

Monitoring of Geotechnical Site Investigations was undertaken at Tinnahinch as part of the County Carlow Water Conservation programme – Countywide Advance Priority Stages 2 & 3 Mains Rehabilitation Works. The overall Geotechnical Site Investigations Programme with respect to the Project was subjected to a non-intrusive Archaeological Impact Assessment which was submitted to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht – National Monuments Service for consultation. With respect to Tinnahinch, it was agreed that a random selection of trial pits and slit trenches be monitored under licence.

A total of 8 Slit Trenches and 4 Trial Pits were excavated, of which 3 Slit Trenches and 3 Trial Pits were monitored. Removal of the tarmac surface and associated formation materials revealed moderately compact brown sandy gravelly clay with moderate pebbles, cobbles and small stones dispersed randomly throughout. This layer, which was identified as geological subsoil, was truncated extensively by services. The roads and streets along which the investigations were undertaken have been the subject of extensive ground disturbance and reduction works, associated with widening and service works, construction and surfacing works, as well as the provision of footpaths, etc.

No subsurface features, structures or deposits of archaeological potential were uncovered and no artefacts of archaeological/historical interest were recovered during the programme of monitoring