2020:001 - Abbey Street, Ballina, Mayo

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Abbey Street in Ballina, County Mayo, was carried out on 20 January 2020. The project consists of the demolition of three terraced two-storey dwellings and the construction of three new dwellings and associated site works. Testing was carried out in response to a Request for Further Information by Mayo County Council and was necessary as the proposed development was located within the constraint for a medieval abbey (MA030-074001).
The site contains a number of derelict two-storey dwellings at the end of a terrace to the rear of which is a line of derelict outbuildings and an overgrown yard. No features of archaeological significance were visible within or in the immediate vicinity of the site.
Two test trenches were excavated in the one area of the site which was accessible, i.e, the yard. The trenches measured 7m and 2.5m long respectively, 1.6-2m wide and 2-2.55m deep.
Testing revealed evidence of 19th/20th-century activity at the site, in the form of topsoil which had accumulated naturally over the past few decades, above modern fill which appeared to have been laid down earlier in the 20th century, above cobbles and a mortared rubble and red brick wall which probably dated to the 19th century, above peat, above natural subsoil.
A scan of the spoil from the trenches with a metal detector revealed modern artefacts only, none of which were retained. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence. Due to the small area tested compared to the entire site area it was recommended that all groundworks associated with the development be monitored.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo