2025:731 - Mullenmroe North 6, Crossmolina, Mayo

Stage (i) monitoring under licence 24E1243, on the River Deel (Crossmolina) Flood Relief Scheme, identified a lime kiln at Mullenmore North. Subsequent Stage (ii) works under the same licence confirmed the archaeological features. Full excavation, under licence 25E0756 was completed in August 2025.

The scheme is an OPW project and comprises a diversion channel to be excavated through several pasture fields in the townlands of Cartrongilbert, Crossmolina and Mullenmore North, with associated tracks, alterations to the layout of a number of local roads, and a river flow control system to be constructed across the river channel south of Crossmolina town.

Excavations at Mullenmore North 6 recorded the remains of a lime kiln, which consisted of kiln bowl, stone-lined flue and draw-out area. The lime kiln and flue had a combined maximum excavated linear extent of 3.45m, with the bowl cut into a sloping earthen bank adjacent to a gravel track leading to a farmyard and domestic dwelling to the south. There was evidence of in situ burning, with the natural subsoil surrounding the bowl oxidised to a bright red. The edges of the bowl cut had a layer of grey-white burnt lime, which had a relatively consistent thickness of 0.02m, from the base of the bowl to at least two thirds of its height. Surrounding topsoil, and infill layer in the kiln itself, contained pieces of burnt lime, giving evidence of the kiln’s function.

Examination of historic maps, and analysis of a Gordon’s Gin bottle from infill, suggest that use of the kiln was short-lived, dating to the early to mid-20th century.