2024:420 - Drumbrick, Donegal

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development in Drumbrick townland, 1km south of Termon village and 2km north-west of Kilmacrenan in County Donegal, was carried out on 19 September 2024.  The proposed development consisted of the refurbishment of an existing dwelling house, the construction of side extensions and the provision of a septic tank system with percolation area. The testing was necessary due to the proximity of the proposed development to a burial ground (RMP DG044-006) and was carried out as part of the planning process.

The proposed development site consisted of a field of pasture, at the southern end of which was a 20th-century cottage. No features of archaeological significance were visible within the proposed development site. The site was partly located within the constraint for burial ground DG044-006, which was located 30-40m away to the east.

The testing consisted of the excavation of five trenches with a machine, to best cover the area of the proposed development.  The trenches measured 4.8m, 6.3m, 18.5m, 22m and 22.8m long respectively; 1.9-2.2m wide and 0.3-0.65m deep. The spoil was checked for artefacts.

The pre-development testing revealed quarried stone above topsoil and natural subsoil in a trench adjacent to the cottage, and topsoil above natural subsoils in the four remaining trenches, i.e. natural undisturbed stratigraphy.  The small number of modern pottery sherds, one modern glass fragment and plastic were all associated with the occupation of the cottage during the 20th century.  Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.