2019:251 - WESTPORT DEMESNE, Mayo

Predevelopment testing was carried out over two fields totalling 6ha prior to the construction of housing by Mayo County Council. Areas of burnt material consistent with fulachta fia were uncovered across a wide valley between drumlins in one of the fields. In the second field a group of three pits was uncovered. One was small and circular the remaining two were much larger and irregular in shape.

Nineteenth-century features, primarily the remains of a mill-race associated with Westport House, were dotted about in both fields. There also were two sunken rectangular, features, each lined with dry-stone walling and fed by a stone culvert which had truncated one of the burnt spreads.

The testing concluded that further archaeological mitigation will be required prior to any development proceeding.