2023:434 - Fenagh, Commons, Fenagh Beg, Knockmullin and Mullaghnameely, Leitrim

The archaeological monitoring of groundworks was undertaken for Uisce Éireann’s Water Network Programme, Foxfield to Fenagh Trunk Mains (TM) scheme located along the existing roads R209 and R202, in the townlands of Commons, Fenagh Beg, Knockmullin and Mullaghnameely, Co. Leitrim. The scheme involved the installation of c.1,511m of new water mains within the existing road carriageways.
Monitoring was carried out intermittently between 27 January–22 June 2023. Excavation of one trial hole (TH) measuring 2.5m by 0.75m by 1.25m in depth and a continuous open-cut trench measuring c.625m long by 0.6–1.5m wide and 1–1.4m in depth were monitored. The eastern section of the scheme intersected the Zones of Notification (ZoN) of three Recorded Monuments: two standing stones (LE025-094 and LE025-095) and a mound (LE025-088). The scheme also passed through the Zone of Archaeological Potential for a church (LE025-096), which relates to the monastic complex of Fenagh Abbey.
Within the ZoN of the mound LE025-088, underlying the road surface, at a depth of 0.3m below ground level (BGL), was a layer of the natural subsoil comprising mid-yellowish or mid-orangish brown sandy clay overlying bedrock. The same stratigraphy was also noted in the trench excavated through Fenagh village. Within a section of the open-cut trench located immediately to the east of the Heritage Centre in the village and to southwest of the site of standing stone LE025-094, a ditch orientated roughly north−south and measuring 3m in width was revealed. This ditch represented the Fenagh Beg/Commons townland boundary and could be post-medieval or modern.

A layer of what potentially would be a buried topsoil was identified running from the east side of the townland boundary towards standing stone LE025-095. This layer had a max. depth of 0.1m and consisted of mid-brown gravelly sandy silt overlying the natural subsoil or the bedrock. A possible stone artefact was found within this layer in the trench located c.40m to the southeast of standing stone LE025-094. The same stratigraphic sequence, as noted above, was recorded in the TH and in the main trench excavated within the ZoN for standing stone LE025-095
The area along the southern side of the road verge in the vicinity of standing stone LE025-095 was previously disturbed by underground services (ESB ducts and water mains). It was noted that the bedrock underlay the road surface and reached its peak immediately north of the standing stone.
Further to the east within the oldest part of Fenagh village, underlying the road surface, a stone rubble and lime mortar was revealed opposite the Abbey Bar (NIAH 30811003) and over the bridge. In the eastern end of the trench, located in Mullaghnameely townland, the basal remains of a stone wall foundation measuring 2m long by 0.4m wide was identified in the bottom of trench at a depth of 1.15m BGL. The wall was built with limestone and bound with light yellowish-brown clay and was heavily truncated by the existing water main. This was an L-shape building, depicted on the first-edition six-inch OS map (1837) and demolished by 1909 as it is not present on the first-edition 25-inch OS map (1911)

Fahy’s Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare. V15 C780