2020:473 - Abbeygormican Church and Graveyard, Galway

Archaeological monitoring of the works at Abbeygormican under the direction of the Abbeygormican Cemetery Group and Mathieu and Mitchell Ltd took place between 19 October and 6 November 2020. The work involved removing overgrowth, assessing damage and consolidating the eastern part of the south chancel wall with rough lime racking. Following the cutting back of overgrowth it was apparent that an elder tree growing through the middle of the chancel wall had partially separated a 2m² section of the northern face from its rubble core resulting in a dangerous bulge. This damage, compounded by recent storms, had also partially collapsed architectural elements from a double arched piscina which was set in a square niche along the north-facing wall. The central and eastern columns, including capital, spandrel and column base, were found scattered on the ground in a fragmented condition. These elements were collected and are currently in local storage. In advance of undertaking the proposed rebuilding works a photogrammetry survey was carried out. The works did not involve any excavation or altering of existing levels.

Cordarragh, Headford, Co. Galway