2022:209 - GALWAY: No. 5 Newtownsmith, Townparks, Galway

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken over a period of 5 days between 26 March and 5 April 2022 at No. 5 Newtownsmith, in the townland of Townparks, in Galway City. The work was undertaken at a site within the Zone of Notification surrounding the Historic Town GA094-100—-. A 19th-century fireplace was recorded at first floor level in the existing structure and will be re-used in the new building. Following demolition, three linear trenches were excavated east-west through the site. The stratigraphy in all three trenches was similar and consisted of a mixed grey sandy clay with frequent stone inclusions and rubble that extended for the length of the trench and was 0.6–1m deep. This overlay a dark brown/black silty clay 0.3m deep which overlay a dark brown/black peaty clay with occasional shell inclusions which overlay a loose gravel. All three trenches were excavated to a depth of 1.8–2m. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered in any of the trenches excavated.