2024:422 - Ballybobaneen, Donegal

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development in Ballybobaneen townland, 8km west north-west of Ballybofey in County Donegal, was carried out on 31 October 2024.  The proposed development consisted of the construction of a dwelling house and septic tank/sewage treatment system. The testing, which was carried out as part of the planning process, was necessary due to the proximity of the proposed development to a megalithic tomb (RMP DG068-026).

The proposed development site was located at the west-south-west end of a field of pasture, which sloped down from west-south-west to east-north-east, on the lower slopes of Altnapaste Hill.  The northern site boundary, a stream lined with trees, formed the townland boundary between Ballybobaneen and Gortness to the north. There was no visible surface trace of the megalithic tomb, which appeared to have been located in the east-north-eastern half of the field, a short distance outside the east-north-east site boundary. No features of archaeological significance were visible within the proposed development site.

The testing consisted of the excavation of four trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development which was accessible. A 10m buffer zone was respected on either side of an overhead line which crossed the south-south-east side of the site. The trenches measured 35.5m, 27m, 22m and 24m long respectively; 1.8-2.1m wide and 0.1-1.1m deep. The spoil from each trench was checked for artefacts.

Apart from a number of land/field drains, the pre-development testing revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy, i.e. topsoil above natural subsoils and bedrock. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.