2026:026 - Brackernagh and Mackney, Ballinasloe, Galway

This Archaeological Impact Assessment was undertaken on a site at Brackernagh and Mackney, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. The desk-based assessment and test excavation was undertaken in February 2026 .

The townland boundary between Brackernagh (Clancarty) and Mackney townlands crosses the subject area running north-west/south-east. It forms the field boundary between the north-east and south-west fields. The boundary comprises a mix of stone wall partially collapsed with native hedgerow along the wall. The wall has been replaced with a modern wood and wire fence in places where it is in bad condition. A total of 4 slit trenches were excavated at the footing of the wall in its southern portion. There is no evidence of ditch accompanying this structure. The wall is of a simple construction. Stones are placed directly on the ground and no mortar was used.

Upcast spoil from the trenches was spread out by the machine. The spoil and bases of the test trenches were scanned under Consent 25R0458. All finds targeted by the detector were dug up and examined. They were clearly of modern origin, comprising of agricultural debris, wire, some drinks’ cans and modern bolts and nuts. Some post-medieval and modern pottery sherds were also encountered during excavation of the metal finds. No archaeologically significant material was recovered, and all finds were re-buried during site reinstatement.

Thirteen trenches measuring a total of 1110 linear meters were excavated across the site, no archaeological finds or features were exposed.