2023:872 - Portarlington (Cooltedery Td), Laois

A programme of Archaeological Monitoring of the foundation pits/trenches associated with the erection of six replacement electricity supply poles was undertaken at Portarlington. The works were located with pavements/footpaths along Spa Street, French Church Street and Patrick Street and within a garden and agricultural lands adjacent to Link Road.

All of the replacement poles were located within the RMP Zone/SMR Zone of Notification established with respect to Portarlington (Historic Town; SMR No: LS005-031). The replacement poles are positioned adjacent the existing pole structures and, generally, at varying distances from the extents of previously identified individual archaeological monuments, sites and features. Pole HR386 is located on the footpath adjacent St Paul’s Church (LA005-031005) and associated Graveyard (LA005-031005). GJ010, EJ5647 and EJ4648 are positioned in areas adjacent the former embankment of the 17^th-century town defences.

Notification of the works was submitted to the National Monuments Service, as required under Section 12(3) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, who recommended that all ground disturbance associated with the works be monitored by an archaeologist and under licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The surface dimensions of the trenches varied in size and terminated at depths of 1.6m (Steel Pole) or 1.9m (Timber Pole).

No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered by the excavations; likewise, no artefacts of archaeological or historical interest were recovered.