2018:567 - Sracummer, Leitrim

Planning permission is being sought for the development of a site at Sracummer, Roscolgher, Co. Leitrim to construct a campsite consisting of 38 non-static plots, an amenities building and external play areas, on-site waste water treatment system, and an oil interceptor, to upgrade works to existing laneways and access to public road, alterations to existing public roadside boundary and bridge, and all associated landscaping and site works at the site. Due to the extensive nature of the proposed development The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht – Developments Applications Unit requested, as part of a further information request, that the site be subject to an archaeological impact assessment.
A total of 26 test trenches were opened in Area 1, the main caravan park site. The depths of the trenches varied between 0.3m and 0.45m, with the subsoil varying between a light yellow grey stiff loam clay and a dark blue grey stiff loam clay. The subsoil was generally stone-free, but some stones and rounded boulders were noted in places. The overlying soils were generally a wet dark yellow brown, stone-free peaty loam, with the surface vegetation unimproved grassland with reeds, rushes and gorse dominant. Only one fragment of pottery of late 19th century creamware was found. This strongly suggests that the fields in Area 1 had never been the subject of agricultural improvements in the form of the addition of manure. The ground was relatively free of any evidence of ditches or furrows, supporting the hypothesis that the land has not been the subject of improvements. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted in Area 1.
Area 2 consisted of a 210m long trench, T17, excavated from Area 1 northwards to the location of the proposed foul water treatment works. The depth of the trench varied between 0.3m and 0.45m, with the subsoil varying between a light yellow grey stiff loam clay and a dark blue grey stiff loam clay. The subsoil was generally stone-free, but some stones and rounded boulders were noted in places. The overlying soils were generally a wet dark yellow brown, stone-free peaty loam, with the surface vegetation unimproved grassland with reeds and rushes dominant. Evidence for two shallow ditches was noted at 80m and 157m from the southern end of the trench. Both of these relate to field boundaries which appear on the 1910 OS map. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted in Area 2
It is proposed to run a water pipeline through the area west of the cashel LE002-040. In discussion with the developer and the project architect it was agreed that the line of the proposed pipe trench could run to the west of the existing farm track, as far as possible away from the site of the cashel and along an area already badly disturbed by the construction of farm sheds and an associated concrete yard. This was designated Area 3. The construction of the concrete yard involved excavating 0.5m below the level of the trackway, in order to achieve a level surface. A line 1m wide and running parallel to the eastern edge of the concrete yard was exposed. This revealed that the construction of the yard had scarped the original ground surface down to undisturbed natural, with no evidence for archaeological deposits visible. This 1m wide line which was examined will be more than sufficient to take the proposed water pipeline which will require a trench a maximum of 0.5m wide. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted in Area 3

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