2025:431 - Main Street, Saint Johnston, Donegal

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Main Street, Saint Johnston, County Donegal, was carried out on 25 March 2025. The proposed development consisted of the construction of one commercial building and one residential building. The testing was undertaken as part of the planning process and was necessary as the proposed development site was located within the historic town of Saint Johnston (RMP No. DG063-003).

The proposed development site was located on the southern side of Main Street in St. Johnston. The building which would have been located at the northern end of the site, and which would have been part of a terrace of buildings which extend on either side of the site, was demolished in the past. The narrow site consisted of a relatively flat area which was grass-covered at its northern end with the remainder of the site area overgrown with scrub, including a small number of deciduous trees.

The testing consisted of the excavation of two trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development which was accessible. The test trenches measured 7.5m and 42.2m long, 2.0-2.3m wide and 0.3-1.2m deep. The stratigraphy revealed by the test trenching was topsoil above modern fills and natural subsoils.

Only modern artefacts were in evidence. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered.