2018:358 - Port, Port Shan Castle, Leitrim

The proposed development entails the restoration, extension and change of use of a granary building at Port, Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim. The development is within the zone of archaeological potential for LE027-065--- Castle, as well as within the curtilage for the 18th-century Port Shan House and Garden (Historic Garden Reference No.: LE-33-G-954034). Surrounding a concrete covered yard are a complex of exposed stone work buildings, the most prominent of which is a two-storey stable or granary building, the north exterior wall of which faces towards the River Shannon which is located directly behind this building. The granary building is in a state of disrepair and is no longer in use. Access to the upper floor of this building is via a stone outer staircase. East of this staircase are the collapsed walls of another former building. A well was reputedly located further east of this ruined structure.
According to historical sources a castle referred to as ‘Port Shan Castle’ once occupied the proposed development site. Traces of this early structure, a pre-1700 building, were identified in a building survey conducted by Shirley Markley on behalf of the client. The north-west exterior wall of the stable/granary building presented possible medieval features of the castle – including a possible gun loop, the substantial thickness of the walls and battered base (Markley 2013, 92). A further two gun loops were identified in the north-west boundary wall, which Markley suggested might be possible standing remains of the bawn wall of the original late 16th/early 17th-century Port Shan Castle, which is now occupied by a cow byre. Further possible medieval remains were noted in the walled orchard which also revealed two further gun loops, which Markley suggested was a second phase of bawn wall associated with the original Port Shan Castle (Markley 2013, 93).
Testing took place on 13 October 2018. Test trenches were excavated in four locations where proposed ground works would be undertaken:
1) Percolation area located east of the farm complex and orchard
2) Sewer service pipe located north-east of the granary building
3) Proposed location of the proposed extension for the café adjacent to the granary building
4) Piggery building adjacent to the east wall of the walled garden.
No archaeological material was noted in the test trenches except in one trench excavated where the sewer service pipe is proposed to the north-east of the granary building, terminating to the rear of the proposed extension for the café. The trench was excavated using a 0.9m wide bucket. It measured 0.8m wide and 0.6m deep. The stratigraphy consisted of sod cover over dark blackish brown peaty clay over a greyish white marl. At 16m from the proposed café location a deposit of blackened peaty clay, a possible charcoal-enriched soil was uncovered with occasional burnt stone present within the matrix of black soil. This material was 0.2m below the surface and 1m wide. The deposit was not extensive but may represent a possible burnt spread in the vicinity. The proposed works at this location will be relocated to avoid any potential disturbance to this material.

Reference
Markley S. 2013. Pre-Planning Archaeological & Architectural Impact Assessment for a proposed mixed development at Port Townland, Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim. North West Archaeological Services. Unpublished report.

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