County: Monaghan Site name: Magheross, Ardee Road, Carrickmacross
Sites and Monuments Record No.: MO031-035001 to MO031-035006 Licence number: 23E0657
Author: Michael Greiner & Seán Shanahan; Shanarc Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Linear features and pits
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 684068m, N 803194m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.971187, -6.718623
Archaeological test-excavations were conducted in August 2023, as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment in relation to the proposed development of a c.0.6 hectare site located at Magheross, Ardee Road, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.
The site is located immediately adjacent to an historic church and graveyard complex (MO031-035001 to MO031-035006) and lies partially within the associated archaeological Zone of Notification (Zone ID: R174254).
Prior to testing, the site was subjected to a geophysical survey. This was conducted by Shanarc Archaeology Ltd. in June 2023 under Prospection Licence No. 23R0248. The geophysical survey data was mostly indicative of modern disturbance, though a number of potential archaeological anomalies indicative of pits and/or hearth type features were identified.
Test excavations comprised the excavation of nine test-trenches; most of these were targeted on anomalies identified as potential archaeology in the geophysical survey data. The test-trenches measured 1.8m in width, 0.2-1.15m in depth, and varied in length from 15–40m. The primary stratigraphy was relatively consistent through most of the trenches, comprising sandy silty topsoil with moderate stone inclusions, overlying mid-brown silty clayey subsoil.
Three of the trenches, namely Trench 4, Trench 8 and Trench 9, produced linear features and pits. It is likely that all these features are of a relatively modern or post-medieval date. Finds from the test-trenches comprised modern glass, post-medieval and modern pottery sherds and occasional animal bone. No features of likely archaeological significance were identified, and there was nothing to suggest the presence of any features such as grave cuts which could potentially be associated with the adjacent church & graveyard complex.
A metal detection survey under Detection Licence No. 23R0397 was carried out alongside the test-excavations and focused on a pre-existing heap of topsoil which had been previously stripped from areas of the site without archaeological supervision. The metal detection survey produced a number of finds, though all of these consisted of modern material, primarily in the form of modern nails with occasional modern construction waste.
Unit 39A, Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny
