2022:049 - Presentation De La Salle, Moneybeg, Carlow

Seven archaeological test trenches, totalling 500 linear meters were excavated at a land parcel at the existing Presentation De La Salle Secondary School campus at Moneybeg, Bagnelstown County Carlow. This programme of testing was commissioned by the developer, ahead of an application for planning permission at the site.
In general, the topsoil within the excavated trenches consisted of mid-brown sandy clay with occasional modern glass, pottery and plastic inclusions at its upper levels and frequent sub-rounded stones and construction debris inclusions at its lower levels. In most case the topsoil overlay layers of modern infill/made ground which varied form 0.4m to over 0.8m in depth. Where subsoil was present, most notably at the centre and south-east of the site, it varied from light brown silty sand truncated by cultivation furrows and modern drainage features to a highly disturbed brown/orange silty sand interspersed with gravel bands. A sewerage system truncated the subsoil at the western portion of the existing sports pitch and infill deposits of construction material were prevalent to the east. It appears that the green areas of the existing site were landscaped and levelled with construction material generated during the original development of the school campus site.
Nothing archaeological was identified during the test trenching programme.

John Cronin & Associates, 3A Westpoint Trade Centre, Ballincollig, Co. Cork