County: Cavan Site name: N55 Corfuff to the South of Killydoon Realignment Scheme, Section B
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 20E0729, 20R0264
Author: Ian Russell, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit
Site type: Burnt spreads, pits, charcoal spread/kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 636573m, N 791768m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.874056, -7.443853
Stage i (a) Test Trenching of the proposed N55 Corfuff to the South of Killydoon Realignment Scheme, Section B in the townlands of Ballytrust, Ballytrust Lower, Drumhawragh, Grousehall, Killydoon and Legwee, Co. Cavan (ITM 636617, 793480 (north) to 636663, 789954 (south)) was carried out in February 2021. A geophysical survey of the route was carried out under licence 20E0729 and a metal detector was used under licence no 20R0264 to scan the topsoil for any finds.
A total of 9,492 linear metres of test trenches were excavated in Areas 1-11 during the scheme's Stage (i)a. Test Trenches were 1.8m in width and, in general, consisted of a centreline trench (i.e., along the centreline of the scheme) with offset trenches at right angles at regular intervals and excavated to the limits of the Scheme. The trenching layout, frequency and pattern varied in places to target subsurface anomalies identified through the geophysical survey.
During the test trenching, nine sites of archaeological potential or significance were exposed - burnt spreads at Ballytrust Lower 1-3, two pits and one spread at Ballytrust Lower 4, a single isolated pit at Legwee 1 (now resolved), a burnt spread at Killydoon 1, 3-4 and a charcoal spread or possible kiln at Killydoon 2. These sites will be preserved by record during excavation at Stage (iii).
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth.
