2025:140 - Derrymoylin and Cloonshannagh Bogs, Roscommon

Nine test trenches were excavated along the line of the Recreational Trail Development in Derrymoylin and Cloonshannagh Bogs, Co. Roscommon. Trenches totalled 540 linear metres. Works took place on 10-11 February 2025. The Trail Development will follow the line of a pre-existing bog rail line which had been used by Bord na Móna for peat production and transportation. Trenches 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 & 11 were all excavated to a depth of 1.2m while Trenches 5, 6 & 8 were excavated to a depth of 0.5m in line with the excavation depths required for the proposed developments. Trenches 7 & 9 were not excavated due to inaccessible locations.

The area which contains Trench 1 & 2 was significantly altered between the 1996-2000 and the 2001-2004 Osi Photographs with the construction of the new N5. Both trenches were shortened due to dense overgrowth. The trenches revealed modern disturbance in this area related to the road construction. The topsoil, dark brown silt with roots, organic matter and modern debris, overlaid a modern compact stone layer. This, in turn, overlaid a modern compact grey-brown clay with occasional modern clay, stone and plastic inclusions. The basal layer comprised a waterlogged blue-grey stoney clay which continued beyond the depth of the trenches. The trenches terminated at 1.2m depth.

All remaining trenches were excavated within the bog with Trenches 3, 5, 6 & 8 excavated along the line of the disused tram tracks. Trenches 3 to 11 contained two layers, the upper bog layer, a rich and humic silty topsoil layer (<0.6m deep) which overlay the lower bog layer. Trenches were terminated between 0.5m and 1.2m depth depending on location. Subsoil was not encountered in any of these trenches. Trench 3 also contained a modern dump comprising stone, gravel and modern rubbish associated with the hard standing of the carpark. Trenches 7 & 9 were not excavated.

Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded in the course of the works.