2023:241 - Kilfenora Waste Water Treatment Plant, Kilcarragh and Ballybreen, Kilfenora, Clare

Monitoring of the development of a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) and percolation area at Kilcarragh and Ballybreen townlands, Kilfenora, Co. Clare was undertaken in two phases. The initial phase of monitoring was carried out intermittently between October 2021 and May 2022, with additional monitoring in February and March 2023.

The WWTP site consisted of the existing water treatment plant and parts of two undeveloped fields to the south and east. Stripping of topsoil in these areas did not reveal any remains of archaeological significance. Monitoring of topsoil stripping of the percolation area and a roadside trench to accommodate electric cabling was also undertaken. Again, this did not reveal archaeological features, deposits or artefacts; topsoil was seen to overlay limestone bedrock and the natural (glacial till) subsoil.

Additional monitoring was conducted during the replacement of the boundary fence of the WWTP, partly within the Zone Of Notification for monuments CL016-011001 (castle-tower house), CL016-011002 (bawn) and CL016-011003 (kiln-lime), which stand in pasture directly to the north-west of the site. An upstanding 24m long stone wall with a rough stone foundation stands behind the fence along the northern boundary. Within the western part of this wall some cut stone coursing was visible, potentially reused structural stonework from the ruins of the nearby tower house. The fence line was adjusted to avoid impacting the wall and foundation. Other than the wall, no features, deposits or artefacts of archaeological significance were observed during these additional monitoring works.

TVAS (Ireland) Ltd Ahish, Ballinruan, Crusheen, Co. Clare