County: Sligo Site name: N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Development
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SL026-164 Licence number: E005036 (Ministerial Direction: A071)
Author: Colum Hardy
Site type: Burnt mounds/spreads, pits, kiln, trackway
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 571360m, N 819107m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.120214, -8.438090
A programme of archaeological testing and monitoring was undertaken by Archaeological Management Solutions (AMS) in 24 areas (RMP SL026-164; AR01–AR07; AR08.1–AR08.3; AR09.1; AR09.2; AR10–AR12; AR15–AR17; TWA-01; and TWA‑04–TWA-07) along the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Development in Co. Sligo. The investigations were carried out under Ministerial Directions A071 and Registration Number E005036 and were undertaken at construction stage following extensive advance investigations along the scheme between 2015 and 2018.
Stage (i) Test Excavations were carried out along the scheme by Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd in 2015 under Ministerial Directions Number A071 (Registration Number E004627). This testing programme identified 55 archaeological sites, which were subsequently excavated by Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd (IAC) during Stage (iii) investigations, with a few sites being preserved in situ. Test excavations were not possible in a number of areas during this initial phase of works, and it was recommended that these areas should be archaeologically monitored during the construction phase.
AMS proposed a strategy of testing in lieu of monitoring within the majority of these areas, which was agreed by the client and the National Monuments Service (NMS). This combined programme of archaeological testing and monitoring took place between 25 February 2019 and 23 September 2020. At locations where testing was not feasible or practical, archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping/ground disturbance works was undertaken. The excavation of a number of engineering test pits, as well as ground excavation works required for a temporary bridge and the diversion of four watercourses, were also monitored.
During the programme of testing and monitoring, twelve areas of archaeological significance were identified. Archaeological remains in two of these areas were excavated and archaeological deposits in two other areas were preserved in situ.
The archaeological remains excavated consisted of three shallow burnt spreads in AR09.1 and part of a trackway in AR11. The latter trackway was a continuation of Castlebaldwin 4–6 (E004868), an extensive prehistoric wetland site excavated by IAC during advance Stage (iii) works. The remains preserved in situ consisted of a burnt spread (Tawnagh 5a) identified within the footprint of local road L54013 in AR08.3 and three small burnt spreads located in close proximity to each other in AR12. The latter were preserved within an extended archaeological exclusion zone for Castlebaldwin 4–6 (E004868), whilst the former (Tawnagh 5a) was sealed with protective terram and stone and preserved beneath the new road surface. Another area within AR11 adjacent to Drumderry Stream and Castlebaldwin 4–6 (E004868) was also left undisturbed and preserved in situ.
Full archaeological excavations took place at an additional eight areas. These comprised:
Ardcurley 1: Burnt mound (9.8m by 3.8m by 0.15m deep) and associated features (nine possible pits, a possible hearth and a possible stake-hole) located in AR04.
Cloonlurg 1: Two burnt mounds (measuring 12.2m by 8.5m by 0.35m deep and 11.5m by 5.1m by 0.33m deep) and two small burnt spreads (measuring 1.8m by 1.3m and 1.9m by 1.2m) located in AR07.
Carrownagark 10: Burnt mound (10m by 6.5m by 0.4m deep) situated adjacent to Drumfin River and the LMA located in AR07.
Tawnagh 5 & 6: Two burnt mounds located in close proximity: one at Tawnagh 5 (measuring 10m x 4.5m) and one at Tawnagh 6 (exposed section measuring 14m by 3m) located in AR08.3.
Drumderry 9: Small, poorly preserved burnt spread measuring 6.05m by 4.3m by 0.1m deep located in AR10.
Cloghoge Upper 1: Large burnt mound adjacent to Drumderry Stream measuring 12m by 4–6m and 0.75m deep located in AR11.
Castlebaldwin 7: Wooden trackways adjacent to Drumderry Stream – continuation of Castlebaldwin 4–6 (excavated by IAC: E004868) located in AR11.
Ardcurley 2: Possible kiln and burnt clay deposit. Tanged iron blade found on surface of burnt clay deposit located in TWA-01.
c/o Archaeological Management Solutions, Fahy's Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare
