2018:577 - BALLYARRA, Cork

Monitoring was undertaken at Castlelyons National School, Fermoy, Co. Cork due to the proposed works being close to the constraint area for CO045-006, which is classified as a building.

The project comprised the construction of a single-storey extension to a school building. One of the conditions of granted planning permission required that the applicant engage the services of a suitably qualified archaeologist to monitor all ground works associated with the development. The main aspects of the works were site reduction to a suitable formation level to facilitate a raft foundation, diversion of a live sewer pipe and the excavation for soak pits and effluent treatment unit in the southern part of the site.

However, most of the site had been stripped prior to the issuing of the excavation licence and an on-site presence by an archaeologist. However, an inspection revealed no anomalous scars present upon this stripped surface to suggest previous human activity within this area. Regarding stratigraphy, it was apparent the whole of this area had been previously stripped to facilitate the construction of the existing school, resulting in imported topsoil overlaying a relatively thick layer of tamped trunking. Where the surviving subsoil was exposed, it proved to be very clean and archaeologically sterile.

Two area of works on the site had not been stripped; the trench to accommodate the diversion of a sewer line and two soak-pits, and an effluent treatment unit. During monitoring works of the excavation of these two areas no archaeological remains or features were exposed.