County: Mayo Site name: Chapel Street, Charlestown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 20E0555
Author: Richard Crumlish
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 547238m, N 801104m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.956549, -8.803912
The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Lowpark townland, Charlestown, County Mayo, was carried out on 19 and 20 October 2020. The project consisted of ground improvements, a new pitch and a memorial at the local Sarsfields GAA club.
Pre-development testing was considered necessary due to the size of the development site, the scale of the proposed development and the proximity of two ringforts (MA063-005 and MA063-006).
The testing consisted of the excavation of five trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development. Apart from the proposed new pitch, the other elements of the proposed development were located in areas which had been extensively disturbed in the recent past, therefore the test trenches targeted the proposed new pitch area at the south-west end of the site. The trenches measured 62.3m, 108.5m, 109m, 111m and 108m long respectively; 1.8-2.4m wide and 0.2-1.3m deep.
Testing revealed evidence of previous groundworks at the site in the form of fill, below the topsoil and above the original topsoil and natural subsoils. It appeared that a sand and gravel ridge which once crossed the central area of the field running north-west/south-east was reduced in level. The material from the ridge was then deposited in lower areas to the north-east and south-west. This discrepancy in levels was visible along the north-west and south-east field boundaries.
Only modern artefacts were recovered during the testing. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.
4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo
