2025:042 - Ballynahinch, O’Callaghansmills, Clare

Archaeological test trenching was undertaken at the site of a proposed single house development in Ballynahinch townland, adjacent to an enclosure (CL036-003). A total of seven test trenches were excavated, ranging in length from 4.2m to 23.2m, and all 1.8m wide, encompassing a total area of investigation of 194m² (5.2% of the site). The distribution of the trenches reflected the varying ground conditions on site. The southern part of the site was occupied by deep and waterlogged bog, with a large bedrock outcrop to the east (the area demarcated as Recorded Monument CL036-003). There was no obvious evidence of this outcrop being an archaeological monument and it may be entirely a natural feature. Trenches on a hill at the northern end of the site revealed topsoil over glacial till. A substantial limestone bedrock ridge was encountered at the northern edge of the site.

No archaeological features, deposits or artefacts were observed in the test trenches despite the use of a metal detector to enhance recovery. Notably, there was also no early modern material such as pottery or glass sherds present in the topsoil.