County: Sligo Site name: Caltragh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SL014-303---- Licence number: 22E0849 Ext.
Author: Tamlyn McHugh
Site type: Lithics
Period/Dating: Neolithic (4000BC-2501 BC)
ITM: E 568891m, N 834580m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.259101, -8.477455
The development work entailed the construction of 84 residential units and a creche at Newtownholmes Road, Caltragh, Sligo. The development is within the Zone of Archaeological Potential for RMP SL014-303---- Enclosure, which was discovered during testing for an earlier planning application at an adjacent site to the north, in 2019. Previous testing took place in 2022 at the subject site following a geophysical survey. During the preliminary investigations no archaeological material was identified. It was recommended that any proposed development at the site be subject to archaeological mitigation in the form of monitoring of groundworks, with provision being made for full recording, preservation in situ or excavation of any archaeological features or deposits which may be exposed. Monitoring was conducted under an extension to licence 22E0849 (which was transferred to the author from Angela Wallace) and took place over various dates from December 2023 to February 2024.
No features or deposits of an archaeological nature were observed during the monitoring of groundworks associated with development. However, a small number of lithics were found as stray finds in the topsoil. All other items found were modern and mainly comprised clay pipe bowls and stems. No further material was identified.
It is recommended that the works proceed without any further archaeological mitigation and that the planning condition for archaeological monitoring has been satisfied in full.
Cooldrumman Upper, Carney, Co. Sligo
