2016:092 - Inchagoill Island, Lough Corrib, Co. Galway, Galway

An Inlands Fisheries Ireland sponsored community employment scheme involving maintenance work to enhance the visitor experience has been taking place on Inchagoill Island, Lough Corrib on a seasonal basis since September 2014. Inchagoill is the site of a national monument, classified as an Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Site (SMR Nos GA040-013001- to GA040-013012-), in the ownership of the Minister of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and is currently managed by the Office of Public Works (Nat Mon Ref. No. 412). In total there are 18 individual records listed on the archaeological Survey database for the island, the majority of these are associated with both St. Patricks Church, Temple na Naomh and the graveyard. Outside the ecclesiastical complex there are three sites including a ritual site and two lime kilns (SMR Nos GA040-014-16). Following discussions with the National Monuments Service it was agreed that no groundworks be undertaken in the vicinity of the main archaeological sites. The majority of the work was concentrated on a number of ruined 19th century cottages and outbuildings to the south east of the National Monument. These works involved clearing overgrowth and paths, repairing stone walls and making a number of derelict cottages safe by blocking up opes and clearing back rubble. The remedial work is all dry stone, no cement or other bonding agent was used.

The only area that required archaeological monitoring was the erection of a Coillte information panel inside a rubble built wall near the pier at inchagoill (ITM 512818/749329) outside the ‘zone of archaeological potential’ for the church and graveyard. The post holes for the sign measured 30 cm by 30 cm and were dug to a depth of 60cm. The layers exposed were of silty peat with leaf litter and frequent roots overlying a compact, yellow grey clay with occasional medium sized stones. No archaeology was noted.

Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services, 3 Gort na Ri, Athenry, Co. Galway