2023:477 - Holy Trinity College, Cookstown, Tyrone

Pre-development archaeological test trenching was carried out on behalf of St Patrick's Education Trust in relation to a proposed new school at Holy Trinity College, 9-29 Chapel Street, Cookstown, in response to planning conditions imposed upon grant of planning.

Test Trenching was carried out two phases. Phase 1 was completed between 6/2/23 and 16/2/23 with Phase 2 completed between 17/10/23 and 20/10/12.

The initial phase of testing involved the excavation of six trenches across what was currently being used as a gravel all-weather playing pitch. The trenches revealed that the level gravel pitches resided on ground which originally sloped from the northwest to the southeast with the slope having been cut on the north-western side and resulting materials pushed eastwards in order to create a level playing area. At its maximum the subsequent fill material measured 2.3m in depth.

The first phase of  Test Trenching did not uncover any archaeological deposits.

The second Phase of Test Trenching was carried out within a level grass playing field to the west of the site. While it had been proposed to place test trenches across the entire playing field, on-site construction plans were supplied which indicated that the majority of the new field formation levels would not extend beyond existing made ground/modern infill. Therefore a series of shorter test trenches were excavated as a means of confirming the existing depth modern infill/previous ground reduction works.

The results of the Test Trenching confirmed that the north and west portions of the existing grass playing field had undergone previous ground reduction, with the south and east portion of the pitch containing upwards of 1m of infill material.

No archaeological remains were identified.

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