2025:607 - Oranhill, Galway, Galway

The proposed development at Oranhill, Oranmore, Co. Galway will consist of the construction of 70 residential units and associated development works.

There are no archaeological monuments recorded within the proposed development area (PDA). A named house of indeterminate date (Rockland House – GA095-140—-) is located roughly 190m to the east on the opposite side of the N67 road (this site is also listed on the NIAH).  There are four monuments within a wider 800m distance. These include the site of Moneyduff Castle, GA095-084—, an unclassified castle, GA095-139—, the designed landscape and formal gardens associated with Rocklands House and GA095-105—, listed as a house of indeterminate origin or date; a redundant record located to the south and a curving field boundary which has been deemed not to be a monument (GA095-108—-). A further site, GA095-083, a Holy Well or ritual site of possible prehistoric or Early Christian origin is located c. 300m west of the north-west corner of the development.

A detailed assessment of the proposed development was completed by the applicant in 2021. Subsequent to the assessment, condition 5 of a grant of planning required the archaeological monitoring of the works be carried out.

The initial topsoil strip was completed on 26 November 2024 with follow-up site inspections of additional site works in December 2024 and on 17 April 2025. The stratigraphy was consistent throughout consisting of topsoil and sod to a depth of 200-250mm throughout the site overlying a mid-brown, loose sandy subsoil with frequent inclusion of medium to large stones and occasional outcrops of bedrock. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted.