2019:496 - Various including Cranny Lower, Drumbeagh, Drumduff, Mullanboys, N56 Drumbeigh to Inver, Donegal

A programme of archaeological monitoring and testing along previously untested areas and depositional areas between Drumbeigh and Inver, Co. Donegal, as part of the new N56 Single Carriageway project, was carried out between September and November 2019. The works took place at five separate locations along the existing N56 at Cranny Lower, Drumduff and Mullanboys townlands.
Test Area 1 at Cranny Lower was a triangular area at the junction of the L1625 Cranny Lower road and the N56. In recent years this plot was overgrown with trees and was the site of an access road; prior to this it was a section of the Donegal Town to Killybegs narrow gauge railway line (built in 1893) near a level crossing. The line ceased to operate in 1959 and the tracks were removed in to 1960. Digging exposed boggy ground and stony infill following the line of the old track way.
Test Area 2 at Drumduff was formerly a mill pond associated with the nearby Inver Corn Mill and Kiln (NIAH 40909201). The mill pond was powered by water sluiced via a mill race from a tributary of the River Eany found further to the east. Groundworks in this area exposed peat overlying a grey marly clay.
Test Areas 3 and 4 were in the levelled front gardens of two dwelling houses. Slot trenches at both locations were dug to natural grey brown boulder clay 0.4m below the surface exposing natural sterile ground.
Test Area 5 was a depositional area located to the north of the N56 and south of a tributary of the Eany River. The site is made up of rough pasture with grassy ridges breaking to heath and bog at lower elevations. Fourteen trenches were excavated throughout the subject area exposing natural stratigraphy.
No finds or features of archaeological potential were noted during the monitoring or testing programmes.

3 Gort Na Ri, Athenry, Co. Galway