2024:888 - Coolough Road, Coolagh, Galway

Archaeological monitoring of topsoil removal was carried out in advance of development at Coolough Road, Coolagh, Co. Galway, between 4 July and 8 October 2024. In addition, a 20m buffer was established (within the development site) around the perimeter of Recorded Monument GA082-096 (Mass rock). Monitoring revealed evidence of post-medieval/modern activity across the site in the form of stone-filled pits and furrows that are undoubtedly associated with the clearance and cultivation of the land. In addition, a couple of small midden-type deposits were found in the vicinity of the site of the dwelling that is marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey 6-inch map 1838-9. (No trace of the actual dwelling was found.) The pits, furrows and midden deposits all yielded associated post-medieval/modern pottery sherds and it is considered likely that the features are broadly contemporary with the dwelling of the 1838-9 map. Indeed, post-medieval and modern pottery sherds, and occasionally glass and clay pipe fragments, were recovered from the topsoil and upper 100mm of the subsoil across much of the development site. No archaeology was found.