2016:193 - Finisklin Road, Rathedmond, Sligo

Fadó Archaeology were commissioned to carry out a programme of archaeological monitoring at Finisklin Road, Co. Sligo. Monitoring of the upgrading of the water mains at Sligo town was undertaken from April to June 2016. The pipeline was excavated in existing road adjacent to the pedestrian pavement along the southern side of Finisklin Road. Finisklin Road is located in an industrial area of Sligo City, bounded by the Sligo quays located south of the pipeline location. The eastern end of the road is characterised by large warehouses and yards. Also located along Finisklin Road is the Ursuline Convent School and its associated buildings.

Overall the pipeline comprised approximately 650m of open trench excavation. The stratigraphy on Finisklin Road exposed road surface material overlying redeposited road fill. At the western end of the trench, at the junction between Finisklin Road and Ballast Quay, natural ground was uncovered. No stone culverts were located in trench and the vast majority of the ground had been previously disturbed by earlier pipe-laying works for services. An earlier gas pipe noted on an 1861 map of Sligo Town was present at the eastern end of the trench, at the junction between Pirn Mill Road and Finisklin Road. Other than this pipe the only feature of note was portions of original stone kerbing that occurred adjacent to the boundary and entrance to the Ursuline Convent School. No material of an archaeological nature was found during monitoring on Finisklin Road.

Fadó Archaeology, 17 Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo