2021:278 - Drumcliffe South, Sligo

Archaeological monitoring was carried out at Drumcliffe South, Co. Sligo on behalf of Drumcliffe Church Tourism Development. The development works involved the construction of a new kiosk and other works at Saint Columba's Church of Ireland, Drumcliffe. The development was within the zone of archaeological potential for SL008-084 Drumcliffe monastic centre.
In the vicinity of the development area there are a number of recorded archaeological monuments, an architectural heritage building and the zone of archaeological potential for SL008-084/National Monument No. 119, Drumcliffe High Crosses and Round Tower, Monastic centre including Church, College and Grave slabs, as well as several recorded Middens.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage requested that a suitably qualified archaeologist be engaged to conduct an archaeological monitoring of all ground disturbances resulting from the proposed development works including the installation of the new visitor information kiosk and associated works, and the installation of information plaques at various location in the vicinity of the church and in the churchyard.
No ground works were undertaken in regard to the installation of the proposed information kiosk adjacent to the church as it was constructed elsewhere and inserted into the location, resting on to the existing ground surface. As part of the works an electricity supply will be delivered to the kiosk via a cable from the church reception area at the ground floor of the tower. The hole for inserting the cable was drilled through the stone fabric of the church wall. The drilling work was undertaken on 4 June 2020 and was subject to archaeological monitoring to prevent damage to any possible decorated stones or stone artefacts that may be present in the walls. Site inspection revealed no archaeological remains in the proposed location of the kiosk or the location of the electrical cable. No archaeological material was noted during monitoring at these locations and no material of an archaeological nature was impacted on by these works.
Three types of bronze plaques were installed – 1) those laid in the surface of the tarmacadamed church yard, 2) those erected on the façade of associated buildings and 3) vinyl plaques that will be adhered to the interior of the church. The installation of the first type of plaque into the surface of the church yard was subject to monitoring on 7 May 2021. The installation of four of the plaques was summarily monitored. A hole was dug for each plaque using an angle grinder to cut through the overlying tarmac and underlying gravel was removed by hand to a maximum depth of 0.12m. The shallow depth resulted in no impact on any sub-surface archaeological remains. The first plaque was inserted at the western gates to the churchyard. The second was positioned in front of the main church doors, the third was adjacent to the southern edge of the grave of WB Yeats and the fourth was inserted at the eastern end of the same grave. No material of an archaeological nature was noted during site monitoring of the installation of the information plaques.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo