2022:661 - Skagh, Croom, Limerick

Archaeological test-excavations were carried out as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment Report in association with the proposed development of a nursing home and independent living units on a greenfield site at Skagh, Croom, Co. Limerick.

During the time between the initial site inspection on 28 June 2022 and the date of the test-excavations on 27 August 2022, much of the site had been subject to unmonitored groundworks, including harrowed ground to the northern part of the site and topsoil stripping across the central and southern part of the site. A visual inspection of the overall area prior the commencement of test-excavation did not identify any features, deposits or artefacts of archaeological or historical significance, particularly in the stripped part of the site.

Test-excavation comprised the excavation of eleven test trenches. Trenches 1-2 were located in undisturbed ground, trenches 3-7 were in harrowed but unstripped ground, and trenches 8-11 were in areas where the sod and topsoil had been stripped. Test trenches were 2m in width, 0.15-0.35m in depth, and varied in length from 20–100m.

Where topsoil remained, this had a depth of 0.15-0.35m. Topsoil overlay subsoil, comprising moderately compact red-brown clayey silt with a moderate amount of small angular stones; in areas where the underlying natural was exposed, this comprised light grey clayey silt.

A linear cut measuring 16m in length north-south was exposed in the western side of trench 3; this appeared to be the remains of a modern service trench. No other features were exposed in any of the excavated test trenches.

No archaeological features, deposits or artefacts were discovered during testing.

Unit 39a, Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny