County: Galway Site name: Glenamaddy GAA Club, Mountkelly
Sites and Monuments Record No.: NA Licence number: 23E0526
Author: Declan Moore
Site type: Testing - no archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 563375m, N 761981m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.606389, -8.553410
A programme of archaeological testing was completed of a proposed development that will consist of a new training pitch, the construction of a single-storey sports complex building, demolition of existing spectator stand, and construction of new spectator stand, associated site works and all ancillary site features at Glenamaddy and Mountkelly, Creggs Road, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway. The site comprises the existing GAA grounds, with an existing pitch, a clubhouse and hardstanding to the east, and a field to the east comprising improved agricultural grassland.
Archaeological testing at the site was carried out in bright and sunny conditions on 7 July 2023 under licence number 23E0526 and detection licence 23R0297. The applicant excavated 17 test trenches. The trenches were excavated by a backhoe excavator fitted with a 1.9m-wide toothless ditching bucket that removed topsoil and sod to natural subsoil and the excavated ground was assessed for the presence of archaeological features. The programme of testing was supplemented by a licensed metal detection survey. Trenches 1-3 measured 75m in length and were aligned west-east. Trenches 4-6 measured 70m in length and were aligned north- south. Trenches 7-14 measured 55m in length and were aligned east-west and trenches 15-17 measured 200m in length and were aligned north-south
The stratigraphy exposed was a 150-300mm deep layer of a mid-brown sandy topsoil and sod overlying a reddish-brown sandy silty natural undisturbed subsoil at the centre of the site. Towards the south the subsoil comprised a mixed reddish-brown sandy silty clay with patches of a whiteish silty loam. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted during the testing.
3 Gort na Rí, Athenry, Co. Galway
