2024:388 - Owen O'Connor Mausoleum, Ballintober, Roscommon

Due to on-going deterioration in the fabric of the 17th-century Owen O’Conor Mausoleum located in Ballintober Old Graveyard, Ballintober, Co. Roscommon, Roscommon County Council commissioned a Conservation Architect’s Report from Michael O’Boyle B.Arch MUBC FRIAI RIAI, Grade 1 Conservation Architect, arising out of which a series of conservation works were recommended, one of which was that an archaeological impact assessment (AIA) be prepared. One of the recommendations of the AIA was the appointment of an archaeologist to undertake licensed archaeological monitoring of the works. A method statement was submitted to the Department on foot of which a license was issued, with monitoring works commencing in September 2023 and after a cessation of works over the winter months, completed in May 2024. All conservation works adhered to the submitted conservation architects methodology and used local/traditional conservation techniques, materials, etc. for the repair and conservation works. Due to the fact that the lower courses of both walls and both the gables were sound, it meant that the conservation works could progress without the requirement for any ground disturbance. Consequently the archaeological involvement was limited to a monitoring brief with no archaeological interventions necessary.