2023:323 - Carrowleckeen Church, Knockatemple, Mayo

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken of the conservation works to RMP MA070-167001- Church and within the Zone of Archaeological Notification for MA070-167002- : Graveyard, MA070-167003- : Children's burial ground and MA070-167004- : Earthwork. The works were funded by the National Monuments Service Community Monument Fund 2023 and entailed conservation works to the medieval historic fabric of the church.

Monitoring was undertaken at various dates between September and November 2023. Monitoring was conducted during works involving the conservation of the ruinous medieval fabric of the church which focused on the interior and exterior west gable, south wall and east gable as well as limited works to the north wall. Vegetation was carefully removed from the north wall to facilitate a 3D survey in advance of conservation works to facilitate access for erecting temporary scaffolding.  Further removal of vegetation was conducted under archaeological direction and supervision to uncover any loose stones in the vicinity of the church. The loose stone was sorted, and examined for cut stone pieces and archaeologically recorded and where possible it was reused for the masonry repairs to the church. Stones that appeared to be set upright, flags or anything that might indicate that the stones were in use as grave markers were not disturbed.

Two areas of fallen masonry were uncovered at the exterior east gable and at the exterior south wall. The vegetation was removed under archaeological supervision and the stone exposed to assess the nature of this fallen masonry. This masonry appeared to have fallen as one event and there was no necessity to reuse this stone and the loose pieces on the fringes of it were collected and reused. At the east gable several pieces of cut stone window mullions were observed. A partial quern stone was observed used as wall material within the fallen masonry at the south wall.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo