County: Galway Site name: Cappataggle
Sites and Monuments Record No.: GA098-048---- and GA098-048001- Licence number: 22E0852
Author: Fiona Maguire
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 572546m, N 724380m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.269046, -8.411561
Archaeological monitoring was carried out at a GAA pitch development in the townland of Cappataggle, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway between 29 November and 19 December 2022. Prior to this, the majority of the site had been stripped and pitch foundations constructed without any archaeological supervision. Following consultation with the National Monuments Service (NMS), an Archaeological Impact Assessment was undertaken. Monitoring of remaining groundworks was one of a number of recommendations made.
The pitch is located c. 30m north of two recorded monuments, GA098-048---- (ringfort/rath) and GA098-048001- (enclosure). Both monuments lie within the boundary of the development site. In May 2022, a geophysical survey was carried out at the southern end of the site, including and adjacent to the monuments (Licence No. 22R0071). A number of potential archaeological features were identified. A 30m constraint zone was established. No development will take place in that area and there will be no access to the site from there.
In late November/December 2022, parallel rows of trenches for shoring on the pitch foundations were monitored, as well as the grading back of the edges of the pitch area. No archaeology or archaeological material was observed.
The project is currently at a standstill. It is envisaged that monitoring of remaining groundworks will resume once the project restarts. A preliminary report has been lodged with the NMS, which will be updated when work on the site is completed.
Creagh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
