2024:161 - Knockaunagat , Galway

Fadó Archaeology was commissioned to carry out archaeological monitoring at Knockaunnagat, Tuam, Co. Galway. The proposed development works entail the extension of the existing quarry by an area of 2.7 hectares, for the extraction of sand and gravel, together with a programme of reinstatement works by the applicant, Finnegan’s Sand Ltd. The archaeological monitoring of the site was a planning archaeological condition set out by Galway County Council.

Archaeological testing took place previously under licence 22E0705 (undertaken by Tobar Archaeology in November 2022 following geophysical survey by Ger Dowling). During testing of Trenches 23 & 24, features of archaeological potential were uncovered. The features comprise possible pits, possible stake-holes and other irregular features. The features have been left unexcavated and will remain preserved in situ. Under the direction of the author the area was backfilled and fenced with permanent fencing, a constraints area totalling 30m x 30m (encompassing the two test trenches and 10m on each side) will be avoided and left intact with no extraction or any earthworks of any kind taking place within this constraints zone where these potential archaeological features are located. GA017-132----Ringfort is located west of the site; no works took place anywhere in the vicinity of this monument.

The remainder of the site was subject to archaeological monitoring of topsoil removal which took place over the course of four days under licence 23E0445. The work involved archaeological monitoring of the mechanical excavation and removal of the overburden to the substrate across the proposed development area with the use of a machine equipped with a 2m-wide graded bucket. No material of archaeological significance was noted during the monitoring programme.

Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo