County: Mayo Site name: Rausakeera South
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 23E0700
Author: Richard Crumlish
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 525469m, N 760097m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.585443, -9.125635
The test excavation of a site in advance of its development in Rausakeera South townland, c. 250m north of Kilmaine in County Mayo, was carried out between 16 and 21 August 2023. The development consisted of the construction of a GAA pitch and an astro sports facility. The testing was necessary due to the size of the proposed development site and the scale of the proposed development. It was carried out as part of the planning process.
The proposed development was located in a large field of undulating pasture enclosed by a dry stone wall. No features of archaeological significance were visible within or in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development site. The nearest monument was a barrow (RMP No. MA118-115), located c. 60m south of the proposed development site.
The testing consisted of the excavation of eight trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development that was accessible. The trenches measured 70.2m, 224.6m, 219.9m, 215.3m, 149.2m, 29.4m, 49.5m and 130.3m long respectively; 1.8-2.3m wide and 0.15-0.9m deep.
The pre-development testing revealed topsoil above natural subsoils along most of the length of the eight test trenches. Two short sections of fill, which were found near the ends of two of the trenches, appeared to be evidence of the recent filling up of low areas within the field. A small number of modern artefacts were recovered from the topsoil and the spoil. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.
4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo
