2018:930 - Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme at Claregalway Bridge, Claregalway, Galway

Licensed archaeological monitoring took place of groundworks associated with the Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme, Claregalway, Co. Galway. As part of the Scheme, it was intended to realign the existing southern riverbank west of Claregalway Bridge for a distance of c.100–130m. This part of the riverbank is located close to a medieval church (GA070-012001) and graveyard (GA070-012002), and lies within the Zone of Archaeological Potential for the medieval settlement of Claregalway (GA070-109). The monitoring was conducted by Tony Bartlett, Ed Danaher, Ger Dowling and Fintan Walsh of Archaeological Management Solutions over a five-week period between June and July 2018. Previous work on this scheme was conducted by Patrick Walsh under licence number 16E0291.  A Registration Number (R0247) was also obtained for the use of a metal detector to enhance the recovery of metal finds. No features/deposits of archaeological or potential archaeological significance were encountered during monitoring. Instead, earlier land reclamation and food relief works are indicated in many of the excavated areas by a deep stratigraphy of redeposited soils and gravels interspersed with boulders of varying size. The excavated material was metal-detected, but nothing of archaeological interest was identified. A small collection of human bone was found during the works. This comprises a portion of a human mandible and a single human tooth, both of which were found in disturbed topsoil close to the river’s edge. A previously unrecorded architectural fragment was also identified adjacent to the northern wall of the church (GA070-012001). Based on NMS advice, it is recommended that the architectural fragment be removed and deposited in safe storage in consultation with the NMI and the OPW. Otherwise, no further archaeological mitigation at the site was required.

Fahy's Road, Kilrush, Co Clare.