2025:314 - Ardmore, Mullingar, Westmeath

Permission was granted in July 2022 for development of land in Ardmore Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, in accordance with the documents lodged, namely development consisting of: a new Advanced Building Solution consisting of office and light industrial/production spaces as well as vehicular/pedestrian entrance, signage, new timber post-and-rail boundaries, car parking, cycle shelters, landscaping, gas skid, underground storage tank, independent ESB substation & switch room building, access road and all associated site works.

Although nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in the testing of the site carried out in 2022 under license 22E0476, the report recommended that all ground disturbances associated with the proposed development be monitored by a suitably qualified archaeologist.

The topsoil strip was archaeologically monitored under license 25E0807 between 9 and 11 September 2025. Three small isolated pits were uncovered, however nothing was found to suggest either a date or a function. The northwest-southeast line of the field boundary, recorded on the OS map of 1837, was uncovered, as well as significant evidence for plough truncation in the form of furrows.

The quantity of plough furrow remains scored into the upper surface of the natural subsoil would suggest a significant degree of plough truncation across the site. This may go some way to explain the relative paucity of archaeological features uncovered, which were limited to three small isolated pits and the relatively slight remains of the 1837 field boundary.