2024:887 - Coole Demesne, Galway

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with the restoration of a late 18th/early 19th-century building within the former garden at Coole Demesne, Co. Galway, was carried out on 15 and 28 November 2024. The building stands in the south extent of the garden located to the rear of the stable block and courtyard. The site of Coole House (GA122-052), built by Robert Gregory in the late 18th century and home to Lady Gregory from 1880-1932, is located 150m to the north. The house was demolished in 1941, and only the basement plinth survives.

The original flagstone floor was uncovered during the initial site clearance works on 15 November, and six flagstones were lifted on 28 November 2024 to facilitate the excavation of foundation pads for the proposed steel column roof supports. It was proposed to cut and relay the flagstones around the base of the steel columns, if possible. The slabs overlay redeposited clay, stone and crushed building debris, which in turn overlay natural sand and gravel. The only finds from the sub-floor deposit were several pieces of modern pane glass.