2026:125 - Lavagh, Cavan

A programme of Archaeological Monitoring of the excavations for foundation trenches associated with the installation of three new/replacement electricity utility poles was undertaken at Lavagh, Co. Cavan. Two of the existing poles, and their replacements, were located within the RMP Zone established for a Church (SMR No: CV037-041) and Graveyard (SMR No: CV037-041001), of at least sixteenth-century date; the existing church, St Paul’s Church of Ireland Church, known locally as Ballymachugh Church, was constructed c. 1800 and the graveyard is still in use.

Notification of the works was submitted to the National Monuments Service, as required under Section 12(3) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, who recommended that all ground disturbance associated with the works be monitored by an archaeologist and under licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered by the excavations. A displaced grave marker was recovered from fill material within a pole foundation trench in the south-eastern corner of the graveyard, where the surface was approximately 1.2m higher than that of the adjacent public road, and adjacent the boundary wall; this wall was rebuilt in 2006 and it is considered that the fill material is associated with such works. The stone was relatively flat in form, with a rounded top; the left side was straight, with the right side more rough and tapering to a blunted base. It measures 1.17m in height and up to 0.58m in width. The stone has the following inscription: + IHS PRAY FOR Y SOUL OF EDMOND TEVLEN WHO DIED MARCH 1735 AGE 35. The marker was set aside for re-erection by the church parishioners