2026:011 - Athlone Solar Cable Route, Roscommon

Archaeological test trenching was carried out along the route of a proposed solar cable access route in the Townlands of Ardgawna, Crannagh Beg, Curraghleen, Mihanboy, Monksland, Taduff East and Taduff West, County Roscommon during January 2026. The proposed application area comprised fields of pasture and tree/scrub-covered mounded areas adjacent to the present M6 motorway.

A total of 17 trenches were excavated out of the original 23 proposed trenches. This was due to access issues, both physical and ecological, whereby trenches either reduced in length (Trench 15), moved(Trenches 8, 12, 22 and 23) or were abandoned (Trenches 16–21).

The topsoil in Test Trenches 1 and 2 consisted of a mid-brown sandy clay with numerous fragments of fractured stone and had a variable depth of 0.12–0.19m. The subsoil again had a variable depth of 0.08m to a maximum depth of 0.16m and consisted of a light brown clayey sand with numerous small stones in places. The natural was composed of a yellow-brown clay with numerous large limestone
rocks/boulders.

The topsoil in Test Trenches 3–7 consisted of a dark brown silty clay varying in depth from 0.08–0.32m and the subsoil comprised a light brown sandy clay with a variable depth of 0.05–0.2m. The natural comprised a mid-brown-grey clay which was heavily waterlogged in places.

Test Trenches 8–10, located in a field of pasture, had a topsoil depth of 0.14–0.2m and comprised a dark brown sandy clay. The subsoil comprised a light brown sandy clay 0.13–0.2m in depth. The natural was a light grey sandy clay. Trench 11, located in a low-lying marshy field, had a topsoil depth of 0.08–0.1m and comprised a dark brown sandy clay. The subsoil comprised a light brown clay 0.07–0.08m in depth and the natural was a light grey, brown clay.

Trenches 12–15 were located atop a man-made ridge of spoil (up to 10m in height) derived from the construction of the adjacent M6 motorway. Topsoil was sparse, when present, and the underlying deposits comprised a mid-grey, slightly loose deposit of stony clay which contained plastic, wood pieces and pieces of metal derived from heavy plant machinery. Trenches 16–21 were abandoned due to the nature of the made-up ground which was covered with trees and scrub and is being used as cover
for the local deer population.

Trenches 22 and 23, located adjacent to the ESB substation at the eastern end of the development, had to be moved and modified due to the presence of several underground electrical services and overhead high voltage cables.

No archaeological material, deposits or structures were identified in any of the test trenches.