2026:006 - ELPHIN: Main Street, Roscommon

Planning permission was granted to develop the subject site, located on the south side of Main Street at the junction of Main Street and Newline Road, Elphin, Co Roscommon. In line with the planning conditions it was proposed that a licensed archaeologist monitor groundworks associated with the development. Following the recording and demolition down to present ground slab levels, the archaeologist was to be present to monitor the removal of the floor slab and the subsequent excavation of all foundation and service trenches.

Initial demolition works took place in November and December 2025, with monitoring of ground works, taking place in January 2026.

Cartographic evidence showed that the eastern of the two buildings fronting out onto Main Street was constructed pre-1837 and, with the realignment of the Main Street – New Line Road junction after 1837 but before 1910, the western building was added. Both these buildings are to be retained in the new development.

Nothing of archaeological interest was uncovered in the works and the evidence suggested that the previous construction works on the site and significantly scarped the ground, largely removing any archaeological deposits which may have survived on site.