2022:944 - Ballyburley, Offaly

A programme of testing was undertaken in part preparation of an Archaeological Impact Assessment required by the Planning Authority with respect to a planning application to construct a single residence on a land plot located at Ballyburly, Rhode, Co. Offaly.

There are no previously identified archaeological monuments located within the extent of the site and no surface traces of archaeological potential were noted by cartographic and aerial photographic research or by subsequent surface reconnaissance surveys of the site.

There are three previously identified archaeological monuments located within approximately 300m of subject development plot, all of which are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP). These are a Standing Stone (SMR No: OF011-002) located on high ground to the general northwest of the site, with a distance of 185m between the site and the associated Zone of Archaeological Potential/Notification; a former Mound (SMR: OF011-003) marked on 1913 ed. OS 6-inch map with a distance of 80m between the site and the associated Zone of Archaeological Potential/Notification – all that survives of this destroyed site is a roughly circular area delineated by nettles and rough ground measuring 34m north-south by 30m;  and a Barrow ring-barrow (SMR: OF011-055) located to the southwest of the subject site, with a distance of 267m between the site and the associated Zone of Archaeological Potential/Notification.

A total of twelve test trenches were excavated across the site, the locations of which were determined by the topographical nature of the plot and proposed development layout.

All trenches were excavated by machine fitted with a 1.5m-wide toothless grading/ditching bucket and in spits of approx. 0.1m depth, with the surface of each spit examined before excavation of the next spit; in addition, the trenches generally terminated at the surface of the underlying subsoil, although in some instances this surface was further excavated in order to determine, with certainty, that no subsurface features existed within the areas of testing.

Following completion of the trench excavations, all the trenches were photographed, following which the sides and bases were cleaned by hand using a hoe and/or trowel, with the resultant spoil retained within the trench cut.  In addition, the mechanically excavated spoil was ‘raked-through‘ to increase the chances of artefact recovery.

In all cases the topsoil lay directly upon the subsoil and there was no evidence for any truncation or disturbance to the subsoil.

No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered and no artefacts of archaeological or historical interest were recovered in any of the excavated trenches.