2024:529 - Eastern Garavogue Bridge Project, Rathquarter and Bellanode, Sligo, Sligo

A programme of archaeological test trenching in the townlands of Bellanode and Rathquarter was carried out under Registration No. E005717 (Ministerial Direction A000066) over the course of two days, 14 & 15 August 2024. A total of four linear trenches (T1 – T4) were excavated under archaeological supervision by the licensee within suitable portions of Field 2, 9 and 10. Two parallel linear features, measuring 0.5 – 0.6m in width were identified close to the western end of Trench 1. A small exploratory section excavated into the westernmost of these features (Feature A) showed that the feature had a broad U-shaped profile, up to 0.17m in depth. The fill was similar in colour and composition to the topsoil, however, it contained a small number of fragments of burnt bone, suggesting that this feature – and by association the adjacent linear feature (Feature B) – may be of archaeological potential. Further archaeological investigation/excavation of these potential archaeological features is recommended.A programme of archaeological test trenching in the townlands of Bellanode and Rathquarter was carried out under Registration No. E005717 (Ministerial Direction A000066) on 14 & 15 August 2024. A total of four linear trenches (T1 – T4) were excavated within suitable portions of Fields 2, 9 and 10. Two parallel linear features, measuring 0.5-0.6m in width were identified close to the western end of Trench 1. A small exploratory section excavated into the westernmost of these features (Feature A) showed that the feature had a broad U-shaped profile, up to 0.17m in depth. The fill was similar in colour and composition to the topsoil, however, it contained a small number of fragments of burnt bone, suggesting that this feature – and by association the adjacent linear feature (Feature B) – may be of archaeological potential. Further archaeological investigation/excavation of these potential archaeological features is recommended.