2025:630 - Garravlagh, Mayo

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Garravlagh townland, approximately 3km west of Claremorris in County Mayo, was carried out on 20 October 2025. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a private dwelling house. The testing was necessary due to the proposed development being located within the constraint for an enclosure (RMP MA101-051). The testing was carried out as part of the planning process.

The proposed development site was located in a field of gently undulating pasture. The remains of enclosure MA101-051) were located along the western side of the field. The proposed development site was located along the eastern side of the field, 11m away from the monument at its closest point.

The testing consisted of the excavation of four trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development, in particular that closest to the monument. The trenches measured 60.1m, 29.7m, 30.4m and 18.9m long respectively; 1.9-2.1m wide and 0.4-0.7m deep. The spoil from each trench was inspected for artefacts.

The stratigraphy consisted of topsoil above natural subsoils. Apart from a land drain uncovered in one of the trenches, it was undisturbed.  Two modern pottery sherds were found in the topsoil and in the spoil from one of the trenches. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.