2020:214 - Skagh, Croom, Limerick

Archaeological monitoring of topsoil removal for Phase 2 of the Croom Distributor Road took place over five days in March and May 2020. The construction compound in the west extent of the site was topsoil stripped on 5 March 2020, and the c. 275m section of the road linking the L1478 to the north of Croom with a proposed new roundabout on the L1408 to the north-east of the village was stripped on 18 and 19 March 2020. The average width of the wayleave was 20m. On the high ground in the west there was 0.2m of topsoil over grey/brown silty clay subsoil with frequent stone inclusions. The ground along the north part of the wayleave was disturbed by an existing foul sewer which extended east-west across the stripped area. On the lower lying ground in the central section of the route there was 0.1m of topsoil over compact clay subsoil. Natural drainage was poor in this area and several stone-filled land drains were uncovered. In the east of the site the route crossed an old agricultural yard and there was 0.3-0.4m of compact sand, gravel and stone fill over the subsoil which was very compacted and disturbed.
Monitoring of topsoil removal for the north-south road (length c. 375m) which will provide access to the new post-primary school under construction on the north bank of the Laskiltagh River took place on 20 and 21 May 2020. The stratigraphy along this low-lying area comprised 0.2m of topsoil over boulder clay. No archaeology was found.

Dominic Delany & Associates, Creganna, Oranmore, Co. Galway