County: Roscommon Site name: Toberrory
Sites and Monuments Record No.: environs of RO022-057---- Licence number: 23E0508 & 23R0287
Author: Eoin Halpin
Site type: Testing
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 580290m, N 783537m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.801006, -8.299198
An application was made for planning permission to construct a new two-storey side extension and single-storey front porch extension, alterations to the existing dwelling, upgrades to existing waste water treatment system and all associated site ancillary works at Toberrory, Tulsk, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon. The site is located 3.7 km northwest of Tulsk off the main N5 road.
In a letter from Roscommon Co. Council requesting further information, the council noted that due to the proximity of the proposed development to the area of archaeological potential around RO022-057---- (archaeological complex) and RO022-057021 (road/trackway), which are subject to statutory protection in the Record of Monuments and Places, they required to have pre-development testing conducted on the site in order for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Planning Authority to come to an informed position in respect of potential archaeological impacts prior to a making a decision.
Following consultation with the National Museum, a metal detector survey was carried out in tandem with the testing under license 23R0287.
Nothing of archaeological interest was noted in any of the test trenches opened or the accompanying metal detector survey. The natural subsoil in the area around the existing house, which is built on a ridge of slightly higher ground, consists of a more stonier till than the subsoil in the garden area to the southeast. In addition, the depth of topsoil increases from the house, southeastwards, and it is this area where, in the recent past, modern debris has been dumped.
AHC Ltd 36 Ballywillwill Road, Castlewellan Co Down BT31 9LF
