2025:361 - Ennis Road, Gort, Galway

This report pertains to a proposed housing development at Ennis Road, Gort, Co. Galway. The proposed development will comprise the construction of 70 residential units on an application site area of 2.39ha approx. along with hard and soft landscaping and all ancillary site development works.

There are no previously recorded monuments within, or in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development area. No surface features of archaeological potential were noted on any historical maps or by a review of aerial photographic or satellite imagery source material; likewise, no surface features of potential interest are indicated on any published LiDAR Survey and no surface traces of archaeological interest/potential were noted during an initial site inspection carried out prior to topsoil stripping. There is one Recorded Monument located roughly 130m to the southwest – GA122-048 (Ringfort – cashel).

Topsoil stripping at the site was carried out without the presence of an archaeologist on the week beginning 8 September 2025. The author was not informed that works were being carried due to a miscommunication. The licence holder  was informed by the developer’s representative that there had been a breakdown in communication on this item with the design team and once (the client) was made aware that the license had been received (8 September) they then proceeded to begin to strip the site, as they incorrectly believed this license allowed them to do so.

The author was informed, on Tuesday 16 September 2025, by telephone, by the developer’s representative, that works had been carried out. The author subsequently inspected the site on Tuesday 16 September 2025. Topsoil stripping had been completed throughout the site. The topsoil and sod remained in bunds on site and had not been removed. It was not possible to establish with certainty whether or not archaeological material was disturbed. The author subsequently informed the NMS by telephone of the unmonitored work. The NMS requested that the author submit a brief archaeological report providing the planning context and background to the site and setting out what occurred.

The author carried out a subsequent metal detector survey on 10 October 2025 (detection device licence number 25R0442) as well as a visual inspection of the stockpiled spoil material which remains on site. The metal detector survey was undertaken using a Minelab Vanquish 540 Multi-IQ detector device. The spoil was spread by excavator and subsequently the metal detecting material was walked in transects no greater than 2m wide. This allowed for a degree of overlap between transects to ensure ground was not missed.

The spoil was also subject to a visual search along with survey by metal detection. Find spots were marked by bamboo and subsequently investigated. All the hits proved to be of modern provenance and included tin cans, batteries and general modern refuse. Nothing of archaeological significance was recovered.