2022:186 - Athleague, Roscommon

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with Phase 1 of the proposed ‘Circle of Life Park’ at Athleague, Co. Roscommon was carried out on 18 and 19 May 2022. The development site is indicated as a ‘Fair Green’ on late 19^th- and early 20^th-century Ordnance Survey maps. The site lies within the area of archaeological constraint for RO041-048009 (Road/trackway), a raised trackway clearly visible in the adjoining field and terminating at the west boundary of the development site.

The Phase 1 works comprise the installation of the footway element of the development. Topsoil strip for the footway was minimal with the depth of excavation rarely exceeding 0.15m. The strip was not deep enough to expose naturally-occurring soils across the site. Much of the stripped area revealed evidence of post-medieval/early modern disturbance, particularly around the edges of the field. It is likely that much of this disturbance is associated with the site’s development and use as a fair green in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. There was no evidence to suggest that the trackway (RO041-048009) ever extended across this field although this possibility could not be discounted. It is considered likely that the trackway is simply a former access to the old Fair Green, providing dry passage across lands that are liable to flooding. It was recommended that subsequent phases of the development should be subject to archaeological monitoring.

Dominic Delany & Associates, Creganna, Oranmore, Co. Galway