2022:371 - Attirory, Leitrim

A programme of archaeological testing was carried out at Attirory, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. The proposed development works entail the construction of 3 detached, storey and a half dwelling houses (area 16Sm2 each) complete with new access road, plus all associated site development works including hard and soft landscaping and connection to services.
The proposed development is within the Zone of Archaeological Notification for RMP No. LE031-039-039003 – Church, Burial Ground & Ecclesiastical Enclosure. A previous application for planning required archaeological testing. Testing took place in January 2019 and features of archaeological significance noted included a ditch – the continuation of the enclosing element of the ecclesiastical site RMP No. LE031-039-039003. Further information was sought in relation to the extent of the archaeological remains in the proposed development site. The site was summarily stripped of topsoil cover under archaeological supervision in May 2021. Additional excavation of a test section through the ditch confirmed the presence of the ecclesiastical enclosure in the southwest of the proposed development area. Following the previous phases of testing the remains of the enclosure ditch was preserved in situ and the area reinstated as a grass-covered field.
In 2022 a new planning application was lodged for development for the southwest and northwest area to the rear of the existing cottage. The area to the southwest had been fully stripped of topsoil during the previous testing and no archaeological material was uncovered. The current testing regime was applied to the rear garden of the cottage. Geophysical survey was deemed unsuitable due to the site conditions and thus was excluded from the archaeological investigations.
Each test trench was mechanically excavated using a graded bucket 1.5m wide. A total of six parallel test trenches were excavated at 5m intervals across the development area with a trench at the point closest to where the ecclesiastical enclosure was uncovered is in the adjacent field. The total area excavated comprised 83.72m of trench. All trenches were excavated to the top of archaeological material or boulder clay. A number of constraints were encountered including the presence of the existing septic tank along the western boundary, a small garden shed occupied an area to the northwest and a large shed is present in the central area of the site. No test trenches could be excavated where these constraints where present. No material of an archaeological nature was noted during testing in 2022.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo