2024:875 - Clonfad, Enniscoffey or Caran, Hightown or Ballyoughter, Lowtown or Ballyeighter, Pass of Kilbride and Rattin, Westmeath

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with the Clonfad Solar development was carried out between May 2024 and December 2024. Development excavations included access roads, drainage trenches, cable trenches, transformer units, and ancillary works such as perimeter fencing and CCTV security cameras. Large-scale topsoil removal was minimised as roads were floated, where possible, and solar panels and inverters units were piled. No archaeology was found during monitoring.

Archaeological mitigation for the development comprised the establishment of 60m buffers around Recorded Monuments WM027-049 (Enclosure) and WM027-051 (Ringfort), and 20m buffers around five archaeological areas (AA1-AA5) that were identified in a programme of archaeological testing in 2023 (2023:779). The archaeological buffers for WM027-049 (Enclosure) and WM027-051 (Ringfort) were established prior to the commencement of development works. The buffers were defined on the ground by means of post and rope fencing, with signage highlighting the presence of archaeological monuments. No groundworks, storage of materials or tracking of machinery was permitted within the buffers. The required 20m buffers around archaeological areas AA1-AA5 were marked out on the ground prior to the commencement of development works in these areas. No groundworks were permitted within the buffers. Ballast foundations were used for the solar panels in all five areas AA1-AA5, and also for perimeter fencing and CCTV posts at AA5. Monitoring is scheduled to continue into 2025.