2018:797 - N56 Mountcharles to Drumbeigh Road Scheme, Drumbeagh, Donegal

A programme of archaeological monitoring was carried out between the townlands of Mountcharles and Drumbeagh, along the upgrade corridor of the N56 national secondary route - the N56 Mountcharles to Drumbeigh Road Scheme. The scheme runs for c. 2.8km and is located approximately 10km north-west of Donegal Town. Monitoring involved overseeing the removal of topsoil to the natural subsurface, by mechanical excavator, at 30 locations. Topographical variation occurs throughout the proposed route and there are several sections where the land is of a boggy and marginal type. St. Peter’s Lough is located immediately to the north of the eastern end of the scheme, near Mountcharles.

Monitoring commenced on 27 March 2018 and continued intermittently until June 2018. The stratigraphy ranged from peaty clay of c. 0.5–0.75m thickness overlaying whitish-grey marl subsoil to extensive areas of deep peat. The bedrock comprised broken/rubble sandstone. At the western extent of Area 29, located south of St. Peter’s Lough, rubble wall footings for a structure were revealed below the topsoil. The footings were of rough rubble sandstone and measured c. 14m by c. 8m. Following a review of online aerial imaging and mapping, including historic mapping, it was determined that a modern structure had been recently been demolished, most likely ahead of the current works. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted.

3 Gort na Rí, Athenry, Co. Galway