County: Sligo Site name: Derrysallagh Windfarm, Derrysallagh, Glen, Knockroe, and Rover
Sites and Monuments Record No.: Vicinity of SL035-073 Ecclesiastical Remains Licence number: 16E0324
Author: Angela Wallace
Site type: Mine shafts
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 588528m, N 816276m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.095445, -8.175376
The project consisted of the erection of 10 wind turbines, associated access roads and electrical infrastructure on a site measuring circa 44ha (c. 108.726 acres). A holy well, St. Eliabh’s Well and St. Eliabh’s Grave with associated monuments (SL035-073), are located within the boundary of the wind farm; this monument is sited north-west of Turbine 4. Archaeological monitoring was carried out over three different phases on this windfarm project.
The initial phase of monitoring works was carried out between September-December 2016 (Phase 1). Works were then shut down for several months and recommenced between May-September 2017 (Phase 2). There was a gap in works again until June 2019 when works recommenced and monitoring was then carried out until October 2019 (Phase 3).
All peat excavation/topsoil stripping works on site were archaeologically monitored. During the course of monitoring several mineshafts were identified within the area.
Apart from the significant work of the Historic Mines Sites through the Geological Survey of Ireland and subsequent EPA mapping there has been little survey work done in this area from a purely Industrial Heritage perspective. There are, as yet, no formal legal protection measures implemented for the overall industrial heritage of this landscape.
It is recommended all features of the Connacht Coalfields mapped on the EPA Mapping database be added to various county heritage plans within Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon to afford long-term legal protection. It is also recommended the various mining landscape elements of the Connacht Coalfields on EPA Maps be added to the Record of Monuments and Places which would also afford legal protection to this industrial landscape.
Particular caution was exercised around the location of SL035-073, Ecclesiastical Remains. Contractors were advised of buffer-zone required and this was implemented with archaeological supervision. Monitoring of peat excavation along the access road adjacent to this area identified bedrock very close to the surface.
Apart from the identification of previously unrecorded historic mine shafts, which form part of the industrial heritage of the Connacht Coalfield landscape, no other archaeological finds, features or deposits were uncovered during the course of monitoring this development.
Pier Rd., Enniscrone, Co. Sligo
