2019:683 - Athlone District Garda Headquarters, Barrack Street, Athlone, Westmeath

A programme of advance archaeological testing was carried out in April 2019 for Phases 2 & 3 of Athlone Garda Station Headquarters, Barrack Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
A total of seven test trenches were monitored on site over a period of 8 days from 1-10 April, 2019. Two test trenches excavated in the laneway indicated significant disturbance in this area. The only area of intact archaeological layers evident is in a very narrow band measuring 0.5-0.7m in width along the eastern side of the laneway. This layer is located c. 0.45m below existing ground level.
A further five trenches were opened across the yard to the rear of the Garda Station. Two trenches (4 & 5) were located along the line of the piles for a new extension. Trench 4 was also opened to investigate if the line of town defences was evident at this location. No evidence for town defences was observed at this location or within any of the other trenches. There is always the possibility such evidence might survive within untested portions of the site.
All of the trenches (Trenches 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7) opened within the yard to the rear of Garda station indicated intact cobbled/rough mettled surfaces linked to the old military barracks. Artefacts consistent with this were also recovered within the trenches. There are some services cutting through the cobbled/mettled areas but in the main the archaeological layer appears intact across the area.
The general impression from all trenches across the yard area is of 17th-18th-century archaeological material very similar to that identified in Phase 1.

Pier Road Enniscrone Co. Sligo