2025:148 - Bord na Móna Recreational Trail, Bunnahinly, Kilgarvan & Bloomhill Bogs, Westmeath

This Archaeological Impact Assessment was undertaken by Archer Heritage Planning Ltd in advance of a permitted development at Bord Na Móna lands within the townlands of Derries, Carrickobreen, Bunnahinly, Cloonbonny, Corralena, Kilgarvan Glebe, Ballynahownwood and Ballynahown, in County Westmeath. A previous Archaeological Impact Assessment was undertaken by Dr Charles Mount in October 2024 and consisted of an examination of desk-based sources carried out in conjunction with site inspection. It recommended archaeological test trenching across the site. The current programme of works was undertaken in May 2025 and involved provision of an Updated Archaeological Impact Assessment including licensed archaeological test trenching which was undertaken across accessible areas of the site.

A total of 900 linear meters of test trenches were mechanically excavated across the site under constant archaeological supervision. Trenches were dug only within the depth of the proposed groundworks (c. 0.4m) and subsoil was not exposed at any of the trenching locations. No buried archaeology was identified within any of the trenches. Trenches were reinstated on completion.