2020:299 - Turlough, Mayo

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Turlough townland, County Mayo, was carried out on 27 October 2020. The project, which was in the pre-planning phase, consisted of the construction of a dwelling house, garage, proprietary effluent treatment system and all associated works.
Following discussions with the Senior Archaeologist, Forward Planning, Mayo County Council, pre-development testing was considered necessary due to the proximity of the development site to MA070-142, Enclosure, which is the subject of a Preservation Order (No. 2/2001). As a result of the Preservation Order, Ministerial Consent was necessary for the testing.
The west end of the site had been extensively filled in modern times, up to a depth of 4m in places. The remainder of the site was a field of pasture which sloped down to the west and east from a low north-south ridge which bisected the site. There was no surface evidence of the enclosure (MA070-142), located immediately to the south, within the development site.
The writer had previously carried out pre-development testing on the two sites to the south in 2005, under Consent No. C009/E4356 and Excavation Licence No. 05E0543. Neither revealed anything of archaeological significance.
The testing focused on the unfilled area of the site, specifically that closest monument and investigated whether there was any evidence of the enclosure having extended into the proposed development site. Four test trenches were excavated perpendicular to the southern site boundary. The trenches measured 39.5m, 24.2m, 14.4m and 24.7m long respectively; 1.8-2.1m wide and 0.3-0.8m deep.
Testing revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy, in the form of topsoil above natural subsoils. There was no evidence of the enclosure having extended into the development site. Two modern pottery sherds were recovered. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo