2025:640 - Ballinderreen and Gortaroe, Galway

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development along the east south-east side of the N67 in the townlands of Ballinderreen and Gortaroe, just south of the village of Ballinderreen in County Galway, was carried out on 22 and 24 September 2025. The proposed development was a shared, two-way cyclist and pedestrian facility. The testing was carried out as part of the planning process.

The 460m long section to be tested was located across three fields of pasture, enclosed by dry stone walls. There were no features of archaeological significance visible within the proposed development site, however, the route of the proposed development did traverse the site of a holy well (RMP No. GA103-009).  There were no visible remains of the well, which may be located beneath the adjacent hard shoulder of the N67, the road having been widened at least once in recent decades.

The testing consisted of the excavation of three test trenches, one in each of the three fields.  The trenches measured 248m, 30m and 132.2m long respectively; 1.8-2.7m wide and 0.1-1.2m deep. The spoil from each trench was carefully inspected for artefacts and surveyed with a metal detector (Detection Device Consent No. 25R0400).

The testing of the proposed development site revealed evidence of field reclamation and natural undisturbed stratigraphy, i.e. topsoil above fill, natural subsoils and bedrock. Only modern artefacts were recovered, from the topsoil, fill and spoil.

Nothing  of archaeological significance was found. There was no evidence of the holy well (RMP No. GA103-009).