2023:110 - Strokestown House, Cloonradoon, Roscommon

Archaeological monitoring took place of ground works for the upgrade and extension of existing visitor facilities and other general improvement works at the Strokestown Park National Famine Museum, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The works partially occurred within the zone of notification associated with RO023-172002--, the existing 18th/19th-century house which is possibly located on the footprint of an earlier castle (RO028-172001-).

The initial phase of archaeological monitoring (21E0381) was carried out  between 28 September 2021 and 4 July 2022. Works within the existing museum buildings and the excavation of service trenches to the main house were completed during this period. The works inside the existing buildings were carried out in 2021 and involved minimal groundworks. This work mainly involved breaking out new opes and upgrading facilities, systems etc. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted during the works.  In June and July 2022, the author monitored the excavation of trenches to facilitate services to the main house both to the rear and the front of the house. The fill of the trench to the rear comprised topsoil and sod over a gravelly dark brown clay subsoil. At the front of the house a service trench which measured roughly 500mm in width and had a maximum depth of 500mm was excavated. This trench had been for the most part previously excavated and backfilled with modern fill. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted.

In 2023 additional works, including the taking down and reconstruction of the Ionic portico, the replacement of all iron elements with stainless steel and reinstatement of the portico roof balusters and capping were completed. The works also comprised excavating down to a depth of 2m to expose the existing foundations and the external face of the basement wall. These works were also overseen by a conservation architect.

Earlier features were revealed below the portico steps during the proposed works in March 2023. Upon removal of the existing steps remnants of an older stepped entrance of unknown date were exposed. The feature was recorded and surveyed. On either side of the steps excavations were carried out to facilitate foundations for the reconstructed portico. Nothing of significance was noted here. However, a roughly coursed (2 courses) possible earlier wall/fill material was noted in the western section. This was preserved in situ. Subsequently the exposed surfaces of the remnants of the older steps were protected and conserved in situ with a covering of sand and a layer of geotextile membrane.  Nothing of archaeological significance was noted during the works.

3 Gort na Rí, Athenry, Co. Galway