2024:662 - Main Street/ Church View Backlands, Ballymahon, Longford

Two test trenches were excavated, covering 132 linear meters. The topsoil was excavated to a depth of 0.57m and consisted of brownish-orange clayey silt. The natural varied from grey sandy silt to yellow clayey silt. To the west of the site, large overgrown spoil heaps consisting of construction rubbish prevented the eastern side of the site from being tested. Overhead electricity cables to the east and south of the site also prevented the south-western portion of the site from being tested. Modern agricultural features were identified in both trenches in the form of furrows, drains and ditches. In Trench 2, an area of archaeology (Area A), was also identified. A burnt spread (C3) and four possible post-holes (C4, C5, C6 and C7) were recorded. The proposed development will directly impact these archaeological features and, as preservation in situ is not an option, preservation by record (full excavation) prior to construction commencing has been recommended. Due to the constraints in fully testing the site, it has also been recommended that the remaining groundworks are archaeologically monitored.