County: Galway Site name: Palmerstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 22E0167
Author: Dominic Delany
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 543952m, N 726249m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.283592, -8.840504
Archaeological testing and monitoring were carried out in advance of a proposed development at Athenry Golf Course, Palmerstown, Co. Galway between 13 and 22 April 2022. The proposed development comprises an access road and equipment shed. The development site is partly located within the areas of archaeological constraint for GA083-061 (Enclosure) and GA083-065 (Enclosure). An archaeological impact assessment was submitted in respect of this development in February 2021, at which time the site was located entirely within forestry. The site was clear-felled in preparation for development in the spring of 2022.
Five test trenches were opened on the site of the proposed equipment shed and associated hardstand located on a ridge of high ground in the west extent of the development site. The site was covered with tree stumps, which had to be removed to facilitate testing, and the surface was strewn with large boulders. Testing revealed 0.2-0.4m of mixed stony topsoil and subsoil, heavily matted with roots, over natural deposits of tan and grey medium to coarse sand, gravel and stone. Monitoring of topsoil strip and service trench excavations along the route of the proposed access road (L c. 250m) revealed 0.2m of topsoil over tan and grey silty sand, gravel and stone and occasional pockets of yellow/brown silty/sandy clay subsoil. No archaeology was found.
Dominic Delany & Associates, Creganna, Oranmore, Co. Galway
