2020:137 - Hehir's Cottage, Scattery Island, Clare

Archaeological test excavations were carried out under Ministerial Consent C000833, E005026, W000321 and R000532, on 18 August 2020, on behalf of the Office of Public Works in advance of a second phase of conservation works at Hehir's Cottage, Scattery Island, Co. Clare (National Monument No. 10). Two test trenches located in the ruined vernacular buildings at the northern limit of the subject area were excavated by hand to depths of up to 0.45m, until mortar and flag floors were reached. A further six trenches were mechanically excavated to the required depth of 0.5m, with one trench only being excavated to 0.7m in depth. Broadly homogenous stratigraphy was revealed in all trenches, comprising rich dark brown topsoil, overlying grey subsoil in some trenches. A natural, undisturbed yellow/grey layer was revealed at a depth of between 0.3m and 0.55m below current ground level. There were no finds of archaeological interest discovered during the works.

80 Portacarron, Ballymoneen Road, Galway.