2024:342 - Clonaslee, Castlecuffe, Laois

Archaeological monitoring of Uisce Éireann project entailing the replacement of approximately 4140m of existing 75mm diameter PVC main, all the associated assets and to undertake service connection transfers as required, as well as the extension of the network by 523m. A size of 125mm outside diameter has been suggested for the proposed new HDPE pipe.

It involved the supervision of two pits excavated on the grass verge to the south side of the R422 at ITM 628125 711248 and ITM 628033 711239. Both pits were located to either side of the southern aspect of the Zone of Notification for a fortified house.

The pits were excavated to allow horizontal drilling to be undertaken. As a consequence, no ground works occurred within the zone of notification.

Both pits had natural soils or gravels beneath the sod and topsoil and there was no indication of any materials, deposits or structures of an archaeological or historic value.

The stratigraphy Pit 1 consisted of 0.2–0.25m sod and pale brown sandy topsoil onto grey sand and round stone (glacial till) for remainder. Pit 2 consisted of 2–0.25m sod and pale brown sandy topsoil onto dark red sandy clay for the remainder.