2017:304 - ENNIS: CBS Primary School, New Road, Clare

Testing was undertaken on the CBS playing pitch in Ennis Co. Clare on 12 December 2017. This project was previously the subject of both an assessment by Magnus Archaeology in January 2016 and a geophysical survey in October 2017. The geophysical survey identified a linear trend that was interpreted as a possible trackway.  The playing pitch was developed in the late 1990s.

Seven test trenches were machine-excavated using a 13-tonne backhoe excavator with a 2m-wide toothless, ditching bucket. Trenches 1 and 2, measuring 25m each, were sited to investigate the potential trackway. Both trenches, orientated north-east/south-west, were dug to an average depth of 0.71m exposing a modern construction track of quarried stone. Below this was the original subsoil. At the base of the trench was grey, natural undisturbed gravel.

Trenches 3 to 7 had a similar soil profile, all exposing the thick, pink clay deposit (C2) with frequent land drains running north-west/south-east. All the features identified relate to landscaping work carried out in the 1990s. These works would have significantly altered the original ground levels negatively impacting or removing any in situ deposits. No finds or features of archaeological potential were noted.