2021:326 - Ardaghy, Louth

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Ardaghy townland, Omeath, County Louth, was carried out on 3 August 2021. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a dwelling house, wastewater treatment system and all associated site development works. The testing, which was requested by the local authority as part of the planning process, was necessary due to the location of the proposed development site partly within the constraint for a recorded monument, a village (LH005-001).
The proposed development site was located in the southern half of a field of pasture, which sloped down from west to east. There were good views in all directions with the Cooley Mountains visible from south, through west, to north and Carlingford Lough, with the Mourne Mountains beyond, to the east. No features of archaeological significance were visible within or in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development site.
A brief description of the recorded monument in the files of the National Monuments Archive was as follows: 'Remains of a clachan village' and 'There is no evidence that this is of pre-1700 date'. The settlement was indicated on the 1835 edition of the Ordnance Survey six-inch map, however, it did not appear to have extended into the proposed development site.
The testing consisted of the excavation of four trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development, while also observing a suitable exclusion zone of either side of an overhead power line. The trenches measured 37.3m, 20.4m, 18.2m and 12.4m long respectively; 1.5-1.8m wide and 0.35-0.9m deep.
Testing revealed topsoil above natural subsoils. Re-deposited soil and rocks found in one of the trenches appeared to be a levelled field boundary, which was clearly visible on the 1939 edition of the Ordnance Survey six-inch map. None of the modern artefacts recovered were retained. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo