2023:301 - Manorhamilton, Leitrim

The development of the Manorhamilton Public Realm Scheme was within the Zone of Archaeological Notification for Manorhamilton Historic Town (RMP LE011-109---) on Main Street and Old Church Street, as well as the ruined Church and Graveyard (RMP LE011-014001- & LE011-014002-) on Old Church Street. Archaeological monitoring of groundworks was undertaken on various dates from February to April 2023.  Monitoring of site investigation works began on Main Street in February 2023 with the area mechanically opened adjacent to Market House. The entire existing cobbled surface outside the Market House was removed revealing modern fills comprising brick, sand, and gravel below the cobble-lock paving. A trench for a tree was the deepest area excavated, over 1m deep into the clay fill below; the reminder of the area had a depth of 0.2m below the cobble. Various services ducts were encountered. No material of an archaeological nature was noted in this area. Further works took place along Main Street, eastwards to the junction with Old Church Street, again no archaeological material was revealed in this area of Main Street and Old Church Street, much of the fill was modern and disturbed from existing services and no original ground was observed. Monitoring took place at the junction of Old Church Street and Carrick Road on the east side of the street. The existing concrete paving surface was removed, and the modern fill and services were exposed. No original ground was observed in this area. More extensive subsurface works took place on Old Church Street within the existing footpath and a grass margin adjacent to the junction of Old Church Street and Commons Lane, outside the east and south-east boundary wall of RMP LE011-014001- church and LE011-0140012- graveyard. The strata of this area consisted of grass and topsoil cover to a depth of 0.3m over old tarmac to a depth of 0.5m over rock and gravel fill. The existing pavement, kerbing and road surface were mechanically removed along the west side of Old Church Street extending northwards to the junction with Main Street. Further works took place along the north-east side of the street outside the library and following the steep gradient of Old Church Street. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted in this area. None of the groundworks on Old Church Street or Main Street contained material of an archaeological nature.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo