2024:410 - Knocknacarrow, Cootehall, Roscommon

The site is located some 500m southwest of the village of Cootehall, Co Roscommon. Permission is being sought to construct domestic dwelling, garage, access and associated landscaping, on a greenfield site, which is located in the vicinity of a known site of archaeological interest, the ringfort RO006-065—.
In their response to the planning application, the local authority requested further information in the form of an archaeological impact assessment.
Archaeological testing took place on 3 October 2024. It consisted of series of seven test trenches, opened across the proposed development area, positioned to cover the access, dwelling, garage and service lines. The only features uncovered, running across the all of the trenches, were modern agricultural field drains, in addition to an area of modern disturbance at the upslope south-west end of Trench 2.
Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded in the testing, particularly no evidence was uncovered of any archaeological features or deposits associated with the ringfort RO016-065—- extending into the subject site. In addition the proposed development has been designed so as to maintain a development-free buffer zone, extending out approximately 30m from the visible edge of the ringfort, RO006-065—, so as to protect the setting of the archaeological monument.