2023:551 - Sleveen East, Macroom, Cork

A planning application for a small housing development in Sleveen East, Macroom required an Archaeological Impact Assessment based on a geophysical survey and test excavation. The site  was a triangular parcel of land on the outskirts of Macroom, consisting of grassland with the Sullane River on its eastern boundary and the line of the now-closed  Macroom and Cork Direct Railway, to the west.

The geophysical survey (23R0335) showed very disturbed ground which was confirmed by subsequent test excavation. Twelve test trenches were excavated with a total of 350 linear meters. All trenches showed varying depths of the same mixed deposits including soils and modern building materials overlying bedrock and mixed gravels. This indicated an area on which various types of building site debris had been stored and periodically levelled. No archaeology was found.