County: Donegal Site name: Rathmullan and Ballyboe
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 23E0931
Author: Richard Crumlish
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 628698m, N 928120m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.099666, -7.550355
The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Rathmullan and Ballyboe townland, c. 0.5km north-west of the village of Rathmullan in County Donegal, was carried out on 10 November 2023. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a dwelling house with domestic garage and wastewater treatment system. The testing was a condition of planning permission and was necessary due to the proximity of the proposed development site to a ringfort (RMP DG037-003).
The proposed development was located in the northern corner of a large field of pasture, which sloped down to the south and south-west and from which there were long-distance views across Lough Swilly. Rock outcrop and scrub were found in places. The ringfort, which was completely overgrown and inaccessible, was located 15m east of the proposed development site.
The testing consisted of the excavation of four trenches, located to best covered the area of the proposed development site which was accessible. The trenches measured 32m, 30m, 23.8m and 23.5m respectively; 1.5-1.9m wide and 0.1-0.8m deep.
The pre-development testing revealed topsoil and fill (in two trenches) above natural subsoils and bedrock. Both areas of fill contained modern finds. Elsewhere the stratigraphy was natural and undisturbed. Nothing of archaeological significance was found.
4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo
