2022:318 - CASTLELOST, Rochfortbridge, Westmeath

Six trenches were excavated in the grounds of a school in advance of its proposed redevelopment. The subject site was located in the grounds of a former Convent. Test trenches were mechanically excavated under constant archaeological supervision using a 16 tonne excavator fitted with a grading bucket. Topsoil was between 0.3–0.5m in depth with a generally stoney grey or brown clay subsoil. Several cultivation or plough furrows were identified in Trenches 1–3. All were similarly orientated north-east/south-west; a few sherds of modern porcelain-like pottery likely dated the furrows to the 19th/20th century. A mound along the north-western boundary was highlighted during a site visit as being of increased archaeological potential. Test excavations showed the mound was a topographical feature formed from a natural gravel deposit. No features, finds or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during the course of test excavations.