Archaeological Impact Statement · Archaeological Impact Statement for a factory extension at...

Planning Ref. No.: n/a IG: 517987/765597 RMP: n/a ÆGIS REF.: 610‐1

Archaeological Impact Statement for a factory extension at Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

Report Author: F. Coyne BA MIAI Client: Michael Watson,

O'Callaghan Moran & Associates, Environmental Consultants, Granary House, Rutland St, Cork

Date: August 2013

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Archaeological Impact Statement for a factory extension at Ballinrobe, Co.Mayo

ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED REF.: 610‐01

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Copies of this report have been presented by ÆGIS to:

Client — C/o Michael Watson, O’Callaghan Moran & Associates, Environmental Consultants, Granary House, Rutland St, Cork

Please note…

That the archaeological recommendations, mitigation proposals and suggested methodology followed in this report are similar to those used on previous similar projects approved by the Archaeological Planning and Licencing Unit National Monuments Service, Room G50, Custom House, Dublin 1 The National Monuments Acts 1930‐2004, The Planning and Development Act 2002 (plus any amendments) and the most recent EPA guidelines were consulted. Guidelines and Plans issued from time‐to‐time by the statutory bodies have been consulted. These are listed in the reference section of this report. Every effort has been taken in the preparation and submission of this report to provide as complete an assessment as possible within the terms of the brief, and all statements and opinions are offered in good faith. However, ÆGIS cannot accept responsibility for errors of fact or opinion resulting from the data supplied by any third party, for any loss or other consequences arising from decisions made or actions taken on the basis of facts and opinions expressed in this report, (and any supplementary information), howsoever such facts and opinions may have been derived, or as the result of unknown and undiscovered sites or artefacts.

Acknowledgements

ÆGIS acknowledges the information supplied by the client and information gathered from the Archaeological Survey of Ireland supplied SMR information.

Report Design and Template

ÆGIS Archaeology Limited 2008.

Copyright Note

Please note that the entirety of this report, including any original drawings and photographs, remain the property of the client and author(s) and ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED. Any reproduction of the said report requires the written permission of ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY LTD. Images and drawings supplied by third parties are acknowledged individually.

Ordnance Survey of Ireland Licence

Where Ordnance Survey of Ireland (OSI) material has been reproduced in this report it has been done so under licence AR0095413. © Ordnance Survey of Ireland/Government of Ireland.

Cover Image

View of subject site. Taken by F. Coyne 2013.

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Contents page I. List of Figures, Plates & Tables 3 II. Glossary of Terms 4 1. Scope of Study 5 2. Method of Study 6 3. Existing Environment 7 3.1 The Site Inspection 9 3.2 The Proposed Development 15

4. History & Archaeology of the Site & Vicinity 17 4.1 Historical & Archaeological Background 17 4.2 Previous Archaeological Work in the Vicinity 21 4.3 Protected Structures 21

5. Impact of the Proposed Development 22 5.1 The Predicted Impacts 22 5.2 The ‘Worst Case’ Scenario 23 5.3 Interaction of Impacts 23

6. Conclusions & Suggested Mitigation 24 7. Non‐Technical Summary 25 8. Signing‐Off Statement 27 9. Appendix 28 9.1 Additional Historical Background 28 9.2 Previous Archaeological Work in the Vicinity 29 9.3 List of Protected Structures in the Vicinity 54

10. Project References 58

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I. List of Figures, Plates & Tables

FIGURES page 1. Site Location, Ordnance Survey Ireland©. 7 2. Location of site, arrowed, at Ballinrobe Ordnance Survey Ireland©. 8 3. Aerial view of site on Ordnance Survey Ireland© imagery, with location of site arrowed. 8 4. Location of proposed development (supplied by client) 16 5. Location of archaeological sites within 2km of the subject site at centre (after www.archaeology.ie). 18 6. Aerial photo (after ASI) (arrowed), with additions. 18 7. First Edition map c. 1840, site indicated by arrow (after www.osi.ie ). 20 8. 25 inch map, site indicated by arrow (after www.osi.ie). 20 PLATES 1. General view of subject site, from N 10 2. General view of existing factory, from SE 10 3. General view of subject site and gravelled area, from NE 11 4. General view of subject site, from SE 11 5. General view of test pit at S boundary of site, from E 12 6. General view of subject site and factory, from S 12 7. General view of land beyond subject site, from N 13 8. General view of subject site, from SW 13 9. General view of gravelled area, from W, from N 14 10. View of subject site, from E 14 TABLES 1. Recorded Monuments within 2 km of subject site 17 2. List of protected structures in the town of Ballinrobe and surrounding area 57

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II. Glossary of Terms

ASI Archaeological Survey of Ireland, a division of the DoAHG Barony, Parish,

Townland These terms refer to land divisions in Ireland. The barony is the largest land division in a county, which is formed from a number of parishes. These parishes are in turn made up of several townlands, which are the smallest land division in the country. The origins of these divisions are believed to be in the Early Medieval/Christian period (AD500‐AD1000), or may date earlier in the Iron Age (500BC‐AD500)

DoAHG Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The governmental department whose heritage remit includes a range of policy, regulatory, educational and promotional roles.

E East First Edition This relates to editions of the OS 6 inch maps for each county. The first edition map completed for the

area dates to the early 1840s and this is referred to in the text as the “First Edition” KM Kilometre M Metres, all dimensions are given in metres or part of a metre, unless otherwise stated N North

NGR National Grid Reference NIAH National Inventory of Architectural Heritage NMI National Museum of Ireland NMS National Monuments Service. Regulatory body with the DoAHG with responsibility for archaeological

heritage. A division of the DoAHG. OS Ordnance Survey OSI Ordnance Survey of Ireland

RMP Record of Monuments and Places. An update of the older SMR, (sites and monuments record), on which all known archaeological sites are marked and listed in an accompanying list. The sites marked afford legal protection under the National Monuments Acts 1930‐2004. The record is based on the 6‐inch map series for the country and is recorded on a county basis. Each archaeological monument on the RMP has a unique code known as the RMP number prefixed by TS for Tipperary (South Riding).

RMP Number This code is the number of the site on the RMP constraint map. It begins with the county code, the 6‐inch sheet number, followed by the number of the archaeological monument on that sheet

RPS Record of Protected Structures S South

Sheet This relates to the 6‐inch map for each county, which is divided into sheets SMR Sites and Monuments Record. The precursor of the RMP, the SMR now commonly relates to the

archive paper files of known archaeological monuments maintained by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland (ASI). These files are arranged according to RMP number

TB Townland Boundary W West

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1. Scope of Study

This report identifies and assesses the potential direct and indirect impact(s), if any, on the potential

archaeological environment of a proposed factory extension at Rathcarreen/Creagh Demense,

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

This report fulfils the usual criteria of an archaeological impact assessment and follows the most

recent EPA guidelines on the compilation of an EIS (2002; 2003). Pertinent guidelines published from

time‐to‐time have also been consulted and are listed in the project references given at the back of

this report. A brief historical introduction to the area is provided and archaeological features in the

vicinity, including any standing remains, are discussed. The report details the potential

archaeological and/or cultural heritage features on the site and in its vicinity and discusses the

impacts, if any, of the development on that archaeology and/or cultural heritage.

No intrusive archaeological investigations (test‐trenching or excavation) have been undertaken at

this stage or as part of this desktop assessment.

The site inspection on which this report is based was carried out on 3rd July 2013.

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2. Method of Study

The following resources and methods of establishing the archaeological status of the site of the

stone quarry were used:

The subject site was visited and inspected by a qualified archaeologist;

The Record of Monuments and Places constraint maps and lists (RMP) and the sites and

monuments record archive (SMR) were examined;

A wide range of local historical and archaeological records relevant to the study area were

consulted, including the Ordnance Survey First Edition six‐inch map (c.1840), the Ordnance

Survey twenty‐five inch map and aerial views;

Ballinrobe Local Area Plan 2010‐2016;

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage;

Topographical Files held in the National Museum of Ireland;

Archaeological Survey of Ireland files and publications;

A review of any archaeological investigations in the vicinity was also undertaken.

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3. Existing Environment

The subject site lies approximately 1.54km northwest of Ballinrobe. It is located in a reasonably level

grassy field, currently newly sowed, to the rear of the existing McHale Engineering Ltd

manufacturing facility at the Castlebar Road. It is surrounded by undulating land to the E and S,

and by forestry to the W and NW.

Figure 1. Site Location, Ordnance Survey Ireland©.

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Figure 2. Location of site, arrowed, at Ballinrobe Ordnance Survey Ireland©.

Figure 3. Aerial view of site on Ordnance Survey Ireland© imagery, with location of site arrowed.

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3.1 The Site Inspection (plates 1‐10)

The subject site was inspected on Wednesday 3rd July 2013. Weather conditions were quite dry with

intermittent misty showers. The subject site lies on the general southern side of an existing

manufacturing facility. The area closest to the factory is currently under gravel. Beyond that lies a

generally flat open field, currently under short grass, with an area of longer grass further to the

south. The land to the south and east of the subject site contains many natural undulations.

No previously unrecorded archaeological monuments were recorded during the inspection.

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Plate 1. General view of subject site, from N

Plate 2. General view of existing factory, from SE

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Plate 3. General view of subject site and gravelled area, from NE

Plate 4. General view of subject site, from SE

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Plate 5. General view of test pit at S boundary of site, from E

Plate 6. General view of subject site and factory, from S

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Plate 7. General view of land beyond subject site, from N

Plate 8. General view of subject site, from SW

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Plate 9. General view of gravelled area, from W, from N

Plate 10. View of subject site, from E

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3.2 The Proposed Development (Figure 4)

The proposed development is an extension to the existing McHale Engineering Ltd manufacturing

facility at the Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo. The existing facility was purpose built in 1997

on the outskirts of Ballinrobe. The site covers an area of approximately 13.5ha, with one large

building (10,000m2) housing offices, fabrication areas, assembly lines, paint spray area and stores.

There are a number of smaller buildings that are used for Research & Development (R&D) and paint

storage, and an extensive paved open storage yard. McHale has operated the manufacturing plant

for more than 15 years and currently employs 190 workers at the facility

It is proposed to increase production at the plant and this will involve the construction of a ca

18,000m2 extension to the south of the existing main building to house the manufacturing lines and

the introduction of a new painting process.

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Figure 4. Location of proposed development in red (supplied by client, annotated by writer)

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4. History & Archaeology of the Site & Vicinity

4.1 Historical and Archaeological Background (Figures 5‐8)

There are 7 archaeological sites (Recorded Monuments) including earthworks, a possible stone circle,

enclosures and the historic town centre within 2km of the subject site.

SMR No Classification Townland

MA118‐001001‐ Ringfort‐Rath Rathcarreen MA118‐001002‐ Souterrain Rathcarreen MA118‐002‐‐‐ Enclosure Creagh Demesne MA118‐003‐‐‐ Enclosure Creagh Demesne MA118‐004001‐ Religious House Creagh Demesne MA118‐004002‐ Church Creagh Demesne MA118‐005‐‐‐ Ritual Site‐Holy Well Carrownalecka MA118‐139‐‐‐ Souterrain Carrownalecka

Table 1. Recorded Monuments within 2 km of subject site.

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Figure 5. Location of archaeological sites within 2km of the subject site at centre (after www.archaeology.ie).

Figure 6. Aerial photo (after ASI) showing closest recorded archaeological monuments to subject site (arrowed), with additions.

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The following description of the monuments closest to the subject site (MA118‐001001‐, MA118‐

001002‐‐‐, MA118‐002‐‐‐, MA118‐003‐‐‐, MA118‐004001‐ and MA118‐044002‐) is taken from the

ASI accessed via the National Monuments Service website (www.archaeology.ie, accessed June

2013).

MA118‐001001‐

Class: Ringfort‐Rath

Townland: Rathcarreen

Description: No description given.

MA118‐001003‐

Class: Souterrain

Townland: Rathcarreen


MA118‐002‐‐‐

Class: Enclosure

Townland: Creagh Demesne


MA118‐003‐‐‐

Class: Enclosure



MA118‐004001‐

Class: Religious House‐unclassified



MA118‐004002‐

Class: Church



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Figure 7. First Edition map c. 1840, site indicated by arrow (after www.osi.ie ).

Figure 8. 25 inch map, site indicated by arrow (after www.osi.ie).

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No archaeological finds are recorded from the townlands of Creagh Demesne, Rathcarreen Rathkelly,

Springyvale, Carrownalecka, Knocknagulshy and Gorteenlynagh in the National Museum of Ireland

Topographical files.

Archaeology (extract from Ballinrobe LAP pg 78) Any proposed development within the Zones of Archaeological Potential on the Record of

Monuments and Places Maps must be archaeologically assessed prior to any development taking

place on site.

Large‐scale developments (i.e. 0.5 ha or more in area or linear development of 1 km or more) shall

be referred by the Planning Authority to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local

Government (DoEHLG) and the development may require an archaeological assessment.

4.2 Previous Archaeological Work in the Vicinity

The following summary account for the excavations conducted within the vicinity of the proposed

development site as included on the list of licenced archaeological work included on the

www.excavations.ie database. No archaeological excavations have been carried out in the vicinity of

the development or in the Townland of Rathcarreen; however numerous excavations have taken

place within the town of Ballinrobe. Details are included in Appendix 9.2.

4.3 Protected Structures

There are a large number of protected structures (List of structures on the Record of Protected

Structures for County Mayo 2008) in Ballinrobe and the surrounding area. None of these structures

are located in the vicinity of the development. There are no structures to date (accessed on June

2013) listed on the NIAH (www.buildingsofireland.com) for the Ballinrobe area). Details are included

in Appendix 9.3.

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5. Impact of the Proposed Development

5.1 The Predicted Impacts

This section might be more accurately described as the prediction of impacts on the cultural

heritage, including archaeology, since the impacts by definition have not yet occurred (EPA 1995a,

23; 2002; 2003). Though it is not proposed to extend outside of the current application boundaries

into the undeveloped area in order to establish the future predicted impacts this area has been

assessed. Nothing of an archaeological nature was noted as being extant in the undeveloped areas.

No impacts were identified as having the potential to have a positive effect on the cultural heritage

landscape of the area during the future use of the site.

The description and evaluation of the predicted impacts are as follows (these follow the suggested

layout in the EPA Guidelines document 2002):

Impact Number 1 (Physical) Character: Construction of extension to existing manufacturing facility. Impact Type: Direct. Magnitude: Entire subject site. Duration: Permanent (that is in excess of sixty years; EPA 2002). Consequences: Potential loss of information on previously unrecorded cultural heritage features and/or objects. Significance: Significant. There is a possibility that previously unrecorded archaeological features or sites may remain sub‐surface on the subject site. Certainty: Possible. The subject site is located within a general area of archaeological potential. However, the closest archaeological sites are in excess of 150m from the edge of the site boundary These sites are MA118‐002‐‐‐ (enclosure), MA118‐003‐‐‐ (enclosure), MA118‐004001 (Religious House) and MA118‐004002‐ (church).

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Impact Number 2 (Visual) Character: Construction of extension to existing manufacturing facility. Impact Type: Direct. Magnitude: Entire site. Duration: Permanent (that is in excess of sixty years; EPA 2002). Consequences: Visual impact of development from and to known Recorded Monuments to the of the subject site. Significance: Slight. An existing manufacturing facility already exists on the site. Certainty: Definite. The extension to the manufacturing facility will almost certainly be visible from nearby Recorded Monuments. However, the closest archaeological sites are in excess of 150m from the edge of the site boundary These sites are MA118‐002‐‐‐ (enclosure), MA118‐003‐‐‐ (enclosure), MA118‐004001 (Religious House) and MA118‐004002‐ (church).

5.2 The ‘Worst Case’ Scenario

In this instance the worst case scenario would be that should the development proceed without

archaeological supervision, then there is a possibility that previously unrecorded archaeological

subsurface features may be destroyed.

5.3 Interaction of Impacts

It is important to realise that the impacts relating to different disciplines (such as the ones listed

above for archaeology) may have parallel impacts in other disciplines, such as general visual, noise or

public health impacts which have not been specifically addressed in this report.

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6. Conclusions & Suggested Mitigation


grassy field, currently newly sowed, to the rear of the existing McHale Engineering Ltd manufacturing

facility at the Castlebar Road. It is surrounded by undulating land to the E and S, and by forestry to

the W and NW.

Because of the scale of the development, and to mitigate against future impacts, it is suggested

that archaeological monitoring of the stripping of the topsoil from the proposed factory extension

should be carried out by a qualified archaeologist. This suggestion is to mitigate the predicted

physical impact as set out in section 5 of this report.

It is very important to note that it is the National Monuments Service (details below section 7) in

consultation with the planning authority, who will formulate and ratify any archaeological mitigation,

should it be required, and this report can only make suggestions and report on the desk‐top

assessment and site inspection carried out.

The attention of the client, client agents and the developer is drawn to the relevant portions of the

National Monuments Acts (1930‐2004) which describes the responsibility of the site owners and

procedures to report the finding of archaeological items, if any should be discovered during the

course of development at the site, to the National Museum of Ireland and the National Monuments

Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

This legislation also outlines the developer’s obligation to facilitate and fund all archaeological works

that may be considered necessary by the National Monuments Service and/or the National Museum

of Ireland in respect of development proposals.

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7. Non‐Technical Summary

7.1 Scope of Study

This is a desktop study to assess the potential direct and indirect impact(s), if any, on the potential

archaeological environment which can reasonably be expected to occur.

7.2 Method of Study

The site was visited by a qualified archaeologist and recorded in the proper fashion on the 3rd July

2013. A desktop study was undertaken which consulted all immediately available material relating to

the site as listed in the project references.

7.3 Existing Environment


grassy field, currently newly sowed, to the rear of the existing McHale Engineering Ltd

manufacturing facility at the Castlebar Road.

7.4 Historical and Archaeological Environment

The subject site was found to be located within an archaeologically rich landscape with the potential

to yield further archaeological remains. No previously unrecorded archaeological monuments were

noted on the site.

7.5 Impacts of the Proposed Development

Future impacts were identified as having the potential to occur on the potential subsurface

unrecorded archaeology of the site. This has been detailed above (section 5).

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7.5 Conclusions and Suggested Mitigation

A method of archaeological mitigation has been suggested (section 6). It is the remit of the National

Monuments Service, however, to legally recommend any one or a combination of these mitigation

measures and perhaps to make recommendations that have not been suggested above. These

recommendations may be sent directly to the applicant or more usually through the local authority

in question.

7.6 Further Information & Inquiries

Any enquiries regarding the above or the archaeological mitigation on the proposed development,

should it be required, may be directed to:

Archaeological Planning and Licencing Unit,

National Monuments Service,

Customs House,

Dept. Of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin 1.

Phone: 01‐8883177.

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8. Signing‐Off Statement

Archaeological Firm: ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED

Writer(s): F Coyne BA MIAI

32 Nicholas St,

King’s Island,

Limerick.

Client: Michael Watson,

O’Callaghan Moran & Associates,

Environmental Consultants,

Granary House, Rutland St,

Cork,

Signed:

for ÆGIS ARCHAEOLOGY LIMITED

Dated: August 2013

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9. Appendix

9.1 Additional Historical Background

Lewis in 1837 describes Ballinrobe as a market and post‐town, and a parish, in the barony of

Kilmaine, county of Mayo, and province of Connaught, 14 miles from Castlebar, and 116 ½ miles

from Dublin; containing 8923 inhabitants, of which 2604 are in the town. A monastery for friars of

the order of St. Augustine was founded here some time prior to 1337, in which year it is mentioned

in the registry of the Dominican friary of Athenry, under the name of the monastery de Roba. The

town is situated on the river Robe, from which it derives its name, and on the road from Hollymount

to Cong; it consists of one principal street, from which two others diverge, and, in 1831, contained

441 houses, of which nearly all are well built and slated, and several are of handsome appearance.

There are barracks for cavalry and infantry. A considerable trade is carried on in corn; and large

quantities of wheat and potatoes, the latter of excellent quality, are sold in the town. There are a

large flour‐mill, an extensive brewery and malting establishment, and a tanyard, all in full operation.

The market is on Monday, and is well supplied with corn and provisions; and fairs are held on Whit‐

Tuesday and the 5th of December, chiefly for sheep and cattle. A chief constabulary police station

has been established here.

The courthouse is a neat, building well adapted to the purpose, and affording also accommodation

for the market. The bridewell contains four cells, three day‐rooms, and two airing‐yards, with other

requisite accommodation.

The parish, which is situated on the Loughs Mask and Carra, comprises 13,504 statute acres, as

applotted under the tithe act, of which 7290 are arable, 3888 pasture, 324 woodland, 1120 bog, and

882 acres waste land. The land under cultivation has been greatly impoverished by burning and

other defective modes of management, and the pastures might be much improved by draining; the

system of agriculture, however, is gradually improving. The plantations are mostly on rushy land; and

of the waste, about 400 acres are a limestone rock. Limestone of very good quality is quarried for

building and for agricultural purposes. The surrounding scenery, particularly towards Lough Mask, is

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very pleasing; the mountains of Joyce's country, rising in the distance on the west side of the lake,

and the east side being embellished with numerous handsome demesnes.

Numerous remains of ancient forts may be traced; and on the grounds of Mr. Clendinning and Mr.

Rycroft are chalybeate springs Lewis 1937).

Historical (extract from Ballinrobe LAP pg 10)

Ballinrobe is said to be the oldest town in Mayo and dates back to 1390. Ballinrobe’s early award of a

market charter in 1606 sanctioned the town to conduct fairs and markets on a regular basis. This was

instrumental in increasing the town’s economic importance and the town’s economic position soon

flourished as a result, guaranteeing the town’s position as the largest market town in South Mayo.

The Cornmarket continues to act as a strong focal point and meeting place for the town.

As a garrison town during British rule, the town’s importance increased and there are many buildings

and relics remaining from this period, including the barracks itself and a number of public and

commercial buildings. The town was one of the wealthiest of all Irish towns at the beginning of the

twentieth century. The town also enjoys a rich built heritage and has one of the largest

concentrations of protected structures in the County, with a total of 35 listed structures contained

within the Local Area Plan boundary.

9.2 Previous Archaeological Work in the Vicinity

Mayo

1993:174

'Ballinrobe Abbey' Friarsquarter West

Friary

M195649

93E0101

Conservation work to the south aisle and south side chapel of Ballinrobe Friary entailed excavation work in

these areas. The build‐up of material in the southern side chapel was particularly heavy, but most of this was

more recent skeletal remains mixed with clay and loose stones. In all a total of between 70 and 90 individual

remains appear to have been dumped here. There was a piscina evident on the south wall of this side chapel

and a badly preserved door base on the west wall; just below this door internally a flat stone probably served

as a step, while a small band of charcoal here possibly represented the remains of a burnt timber floor; a very

small fragment of copper was found at this level. The north wall of the side chapel also contained a doorway,

though somewhat narrower than its western counterpart and at a slightly lower level; the doorway connects

the side chapel with the south aisle. The threshold stones of both these doorways survive and the dressings on

the doors and the uncovered window are typical 15th‐16th‐century date. The level of excavation in this

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section was determined by the presence of the two doors, together with the piscina on the south wall; the

piscina should be accessible through either of the doorways.

In the south aisle a built‐up area occupied much of its eastern end and while there was a piscina evident on its

south wall this material was built up as far as its base. The objective of the excavation here was to create a

fairly constant floor level at the eastern end of the south aisle if this were possible without disturbing any

authentic archaeological level. As with the side chapel, much of the fill material here consisted of fragments of

human remains mixed with stone, earth and through which numerous fragments of clay pipes were found. A

flat 19th‐century grave slab was found lying on a damaged drystone wall. This wall was dismantled and

removed, revealing further human remains and clay pipe fragments at the base. These remains were not

removed and the limit of excavation was set here. The base of an ornate window mullion was found near the

bottom of the drystone grave wall. Only a small portion of the east wall of the south aisle survived and

extremely fragmentary at that; it seems that much of this wall was broken for the accommodation of later

burials. Some plaster covers the south wall at the level of the piscina and extends so far eastwards to suggest

that at some stage the south wall extended further in this direction.

There were no finds apart from the copper and charcoal. This segment of excavation has helped redefine the

plan of this part of the friary.

Leo Morahan, Kilmurray Community Council, Castlehill, Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Mayo

1994:184

Ballinrobe Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Scheme

Various

M191643

94E017

Archaeological monitoring and excavations along the route of the proposed Ballinrobe sewerage and sewage

disposal scheme began in February 1994 and were completed in December 1994. All the archaeological

excavations were funded by Mayo Co. Council. Where the wayleaves ran through or adjacent to an

archaeological site the archaeological excavations were strictly confined to the width of the strip of land

acquired by Mayo Co. Council. The wayleaves on this scheme were up to 20m wide in places. The total length

of the pipeline route was 16.3km. In the course of each individual excavation all features (including layers and

structures) were given context numbers as they were revealed. In the text these numbers bear the prefix C

(e.g. C5) Soil analysis and radio carbon dating tests are presently being undertaken by specialists on the

material recovered from the excavations and the results of these were not to hand for this report.

Ballinrobe Demesne Fulacht fiadh

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Following topsoil removal and during pipelaying on the southern bank of the river Robe the levelled remains of

four fulachtaí fiadha in a row were uncovered. A previous watermain was constructed in the adjacent area five

years ago and modern fill seems to have been packed in around the four sites. An area c. 2m wide was

excavated along the pipeline route.

Underlying the sod, 0.1m thick, was a layer of modern fill 0.8m thick. Underlying this was an iron pan layer

0.4m thick. The burnt mound material of the fulacht fiadh which was 4.4m long and 0.2m thick lay directly

under the iron pan. Underlying the mound material and overlying the natural grey sand 0.01m thick was a

peaty layer 0.07m thick. This peaty layer produced some wooden logs which may have been part of the

original wood‐lined trough. Over 200 animal bone specimens of which 49 were positively identified to species

were also recovered from this layer; ninety‐four per cent of the bone was cattle suggesting a diet based mainly

on this species. Horse was represented by a single lower molar and pig by a first phalanx which was unfused at

the proximal end. This indicated that the pig was slaughtered before it reached two years of age. Non‐

domestic species consisted of the distal end of a red deer humerus which points to small‐scale hunting in the

vicinity of the site. There were no obvious butchery marks on the deer bone but it appears to have been

broken in antiquity by means of a sharp blow across the shaft with a heavy, blunt instrument, resulting in a

spiral fracture of the shaft to expose the marrow cavity. No other wild species of animal was identified.

This sample can be interpreted as a concentration of bones derived principally from the butchery of two cattle

carcasses. The age data available indicated that both individuals were under 2.5 years when slaughtered which

implies that meat production seemed important. In the representation of skeletal elements it is clear that the

sample consists mostly of meat‐producing upper limb bones. It is possible that the meat brought to this

fulacht fiadh came in the form of prepared joints and that very little butchery was undertaken in the vicinity of

the site.


This site was situated adjacent to site Nos. 1 and 4. The burnt mound material survived up to a height of

0.95m. The mound was 11.24m long and surrounded by modern fill. An iron object, possibly a sickle, was

recovered from the burnt mound material. The sickle is very corroded at the junction of the blade and tang.

The tang is rectangular in section and the blade has an elongated section. The tip of the blade may be broken.

The object presumably had a wooden handle. The overall length is 177mm, the blade width is 25mm and the

tang width is 11mm. The weight is 118g.


This site was situated 1.4m south‐east of site No. 2. An 8.47m spread of burnt mound material 0.3m thick was

all that remained of this levelled site. An old grey sod layer 0.23m thick overlay the mound and underlay a

0.7m thick layer of modern fill. No small finds were recovered from the site.

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This was situated adjoining site No.1. No small finds were recovered and the levelled mound material 0.2m

thick which spread for a distance of 6.5m lay directly on a yellow/grey natural daub 0.16m thick. Overlying was

an iron pan layer 0.03m thick. A layer of fill 0.75m thick overlay this and underlay the present sod level.

Ballinrobe Demesne Stray find

A very weathered coin was recovered from the Common in this townland. One face shows a bust in relief

facing right while the reverse side is too weathered to be deciphered.

Ballinrobe Demesne Stray find

During topsoil removal in the vicinity of Burke's Castle an iron hook and a portion of a basal section of a wine

bottle were recovered.

Ballinrobe Demesne Stone circle SMR 118:134

Topsoil removal and pipe laying in the vicinity of this stone circle revealed no features or small finds of

archaeological importance.

Cornarova Stone culvert

This stone culvert ran diagonally across the western end of Glebe St. towards a shore at the corner of Main St.,

Ballinrobe. It was located 0.2m below present street level and was constructed of dry‐stone‐dressed masonry.

The floor and roof were constructed of flat slabs c. 1m in length. The sides of the culvert, which were

approximately 0.5m apart, consisted of two parallel rows of cut stone c. 0.3m high. Finds from the culvert,

which could be of any date, include two sheep bones, one horse bone, a fragment of a rib from a large sized

mammal, three shreds of late 19th‐century ironstone china and two fragments of early 20th‐century glass.

Cornarova

During pipelaying in Church Lane a total of 236 human teeth were recovered from a drain running north‐south

under the laneway. Almosts 70% of the teeth showed evidence for dental caries which suggests that they are

probably modern and may have come from a dental surgery.

Friarsquarter West Stray Finds

This is located within the medieval town area of Ballinrobe. During topsoil removal some stray finds were

uncovered. These included some 19th‐century clay pipe bowl and stem fragments, two sherds of 20th‐century

ironstone china and a 19th century ink bottle of clear glass.

Friarsquarter West Human remains and stray finds

This site was located adjacent to the 14th‐century Ballinrobe Abbey. During topsoil removal and pipelaying

some human remains and stray finds were recovered.

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The human remains, which seem to have been dumped here, were uncovered over a distance of 13m along

the pipeline route. North of these remains and adjacent to the abbey wall a basal sherd of a late 19th‐century

stoneware jar and two clay pipe bowls, one 17th century, the other 19th century, were recovered from the

topsoil.

Friarsquarter West Well

The well was uncovered during the removal of the footpath outside the Ulster Bank at the western end of

Glebe St. It was covered by two flat slabs. It measured 1m in diameter and was dug to a depth of at least 18m.

It was constructed of dry‐stone, undressed masonry for most of its height, however the upper five courses

contained mortared joints. Some of these upper stones were dressed and formed an internal corner at the

south‐east side of the well. One of the stones was decorated with regular chisel marks on one surface.

The site of the well is marked as a 'pump' on an estate map of Charles Nesbit Knox dated to 1832. It would

appear therefore that the pump was in use 200 years ago and that it was installed using an existing well. The

well may be considerably older than the pump, possibly of medieval date (14th‐15th century). It was

necessary to excavate the top course of masonry of the well to accommodate a 0.3m thick concrete 'biscuit' to

cover the well before the footpath was replaced. The stones which were removed were numbered and put

into storage.

Killasheheen Church and graveyardSMR 118: 029

As the proposed pipeline was to run c. 8m west of this early church the wayleave adjacent to the site was trial

trenched prior to topsoil removal. The church measured 14m north‐south by 7m east‐west and up to 0.3m of

the overgrown walls survived. A cutting 12m x 7m wide was opened on the western side of the church. Small

finds from the topsoil included:1. A plain undifferentiated polished bone pin, parallel sided and tapering to a

point. All surfaces are highly polished including the top of the head.2. Two struck lithics, (a) an unretouched

chert flake with a crushed striking platform and (b) an unretouched broken flake made of good quality fine

grained dark grey/black flint.3. A small fragment of a bronze mount. It is triangular in shape and broken at the

narrower end. A perforation of 2.8mm diameter occurs in the upper section of the mount and the remains of a

second perforation are visible along the fracture line. The mount is decorated with two parallel lightly incised

lines along the edges and an intermediary row of short dashes. The mount may be prehistoric in date. The

decoration is somewhat similar to the incised decoration of Early Bronze Age artefacts.4. 18th‐19th‐century

wine bottle fragments.5. An iron rod which was made from a circular sectioned bar. It is splayed at one end

and may originally have had a head similar to a bolt.6. 17th‐century clay pipe stem and bowl fragments.7.

Human skeletal remains. These comingled remains contained various skeletal elements from a minimum of

seven individuals: two adults (one male and one female) and five children, including a teenager. Bones of all

ages and both sexes were scattered throughout. However it is only possible to give a minimum number of

individuals. Various pathologies were present. Dental defects occurred in one individual, dental attrition was

evident on two teeth while strains to the right ankle joints of two subjects were seen.

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A number of archaeological features were cut into the natural boulder clay. These included:1. A 10m long,

0.7m wide shallow trench which ran in a north‐west/south‐east direction towards the south‐west corner of

the church.2. A 3.5m long, 0.5m wide trench which ran east‐west and contained at least four in situ human

burials.3. At least six other in situ human burials.Following consultation with the engineering staff none of the

above archaeological features were excavated. The cutting was carefully backfilled and no features were

disturbed by the pipe‐laying activity which was undertaken 5m to the west of the remains.

Rathkelly Horse remains

The skeletal remains of two horses, two pairs of horse shoes from different horses and some wood fragments

were uncovered. The size and type of horse shoe would seem to indicate that the remains were those of a cob

(cross between a pony and a horse) and date from the post‐medieval period. Early maps show that the old

course of the river Robe originally meandered north of the existing treatment works site and the horse

remains may have been dumped into the old river course.

Rathkelly Fulacht fiadh

This site was discovered after topsoil removal and consisted of a 3m diameter spread of burnt stone and soil

only 0.1m thick. Three utilised coarse stone tools were recovered from this. Two were made of very coarse

sandstone with a high micaceous content. None show any signs of modification prior to being used. The

largest is roughly oval‐shaped and red/brown in colour. Evidence for use is visible on one face where it is likely

that heavy grinding or prolonged abrasion has produced a very flattened smooth surface. The smaller example

is coarser in texture and yellow in colour. Here also the evidence for use is confined to both edges, each of

which has been worked to a flattened surface. The third coarse stone tool is broken with one surface very

slightly dished in profile and may have functioned as some type of sharpening stone. Two animal teeth were

also recovered. One was the upper molar from a horse which, judging from the wear pattern, belonged to an

animal over five years of age. The other was a cattle lower molar which was quite heavily worn.

Rathkelly Ringfort SMR 118:021

Topsoil removal and pipe laying in the vicinity of this ringfort revealed no features or small finds of

archaeological importance.

Rathkelly Fulacht Fiadh

This site is located on the northern bank of the river Robe. Following topsoil removal an oval area of charcoal‐

enriched dark brown sandy silt loam packed with fragments of heat shattered stones (C2) measuring 7.5m x

4.5m was exposed. This levelled burnt mound material was up to 0.22m thick and small finds recovered from it

include a slightly broken chert barbed and tanged arrowhead which has been finely pressure flaked all over on

both surfaces, a lower molar of a sheep, and an unretouched flint flake. A burnt red lens 0.06m thick overlay

the top soil at the northern end of the site. A burnt red silt loam with some burnt stones 0.04m thick lay

directly above C2 in the centre of the site.

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Underlying C2 and overlying the natural limestone bedrock at the southern end was a compact conglomerate

layer of stone, possibly iron slag and charcoal. This measured 5.5m x 2m and was up to 0.3m thick in places. It

may represent the remains of a hearth area. Overlying it at the southern side of the site was a black soil with

burnt stones 0.08m thick. Underlying the northern end of the burnt mound material (C2) was a dark brown

silty clay loam (C3) measuring 0.42m x 0.4m and 0.26m thick. It is possible that this natural depression in the

bedrock was used as a cooking trough and that C3 represents the fill of the trough which had accumulated

since the last cooking . C3 produced an unretouched flint flake and some 'pot boilers' ‐ rounded stones which

may have been inserted into the trough at the appropriate time to keep the water at boiling point. A very

dusky red silty clay loam at the north‐east side of the site may represent the burning of the natural boulder

clay. While the underlying local natural rock is limestone, the predominant stone type in the burnt mound was

sandstone. Sandstone was probably specially selected and brought to the site as it is more resistant to

shattering and could be re‐used whereas limestone would tend to disintegrate more rapidly. A spread of burnt

stone (4. 5m x 3.5m) 2m to the west probably represents the levelled remains of another fulacht fiadh.

Fulachtaí fiadha generally date to the Bronze Age and the finding of a barbed and tanged chert arrowhead, a

diagnostic find of the Bronze Age, would tend to support this date. However, the presence of iron (if not

natual) at this site may suggest a later date. Charcoal samples from the site have been sent for radio carbon

testing and these results should give a more precise date.

Gerry Walsh, Road Design, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Mayo

1998:477

HIGH STREET, BALLINROBE

No archaeological significance

SMR 118:22

98E0391

Pre‐development testing was undertaken on the site of a proposed development of eight houses in High

Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, in August 1998.

Six test‐trenches, 12m x 2m and 15m x 2m, were excavated by machine. In general the sod/topsoil layer

directly overlay a natural, light brown boulder clay. No archaeological features or finds were recovered from

any of the trenches.

Gerry Walsh, Rathbawn Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Mayo

1999:645

ABBEY STREET, BALLINROBE


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1193 2645

SMR 118:22

99E0240

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 27 May 1999 in response to conditions of planning for a

development consisting of the construction of two townhouses, one apartment and three garages at Abbey

Street, in the northern outskirts of Ballinrobe town, Co. Mayo. These conditions were included as Ballinrobe

town is a recorded monument and the site is adjacent to a 13th‐century Augustinian abbey. The Augustinian

abbey and its graveyard were across the road to the north‐north‐west, 20m from the development site. A

dwelling and outhouse of modern date had recently been demolished on the site.

Two trial‐trenches were excavated by machine. They were orientated north‐west/south‐east and were 21.2‐

22m long, 0.9‐1.3m wide and 0.25‐1.8m deep. The stratigraphy uncovered was similar in both trenches,

consisting of rubble above concrete, cobblestones, wall foundations, a manhole, a soakage pit, topsoil and

natural subsoil.

The rubble represented the foundation and fabric of the dwelling and outhouse recently demolished. The

cobbles represented the original floor of the outhouse that stood at the north‐west end of the site. The topsoil

was a part of the garden between the dwelling and outhouse. The three wall foundations were associated

with the building just demolished, as were the manhole and the soakage pit.

All the evidence from the testing was of modern occupation and activity at the site. Modern artefacts only

were recovered.

Richard Crumlish, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd, Purcell House, Oranmore, Co. Galway.

Mayo

1999:646

ABBEY STREET, BALLINROBE


SMR 118:22

99E0400

Pre‐development testing was undertaken on the site of a proposed development off Abbey Street, Ballinrobe,

Co. Mayo. The site is within the zone of archaeological importance for the medieval town of Ballinrobe. Four

test‐trenches were excavated by machine within the proposed development site.

Trench 1 measured 35m x 1.5m. The stratigraphy consisted of a sod/garden topsoil layer 0.27m thick directly

overlying a natural, silty gravel.

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Trench 2 measured 35m x 1.5m. At the western end of the trench a garden topsoil 0.3m thick directly overlay

a stony topsoil 0.45m thick, which produced some modern glass and white‐glazed pottery. The stony topsoil

directly overlay a natural, orange boulder clay. Midway along the trench the garden topsoil 0.84m thick

directly overlay a natural, orange boulder clay. At the eastern end of the trench the sod and stony topsoil 0.3m

thick directly overlay a natural, orange boulder clay.

Trench 3 measured 10m x 1.5m. Approximately 0.1m depth of garden topsoil had been stripped from this area

and replaced by a layer of stone (0.15m thick) by the developer. At the northern end of the trench the natural

bedrock directly underlay this stone layer. In the remainder of the trench underlying the builder's stone layer

was a layer of large boulders and stone fill up to 1.3m thick. This is of relatively recent origin and may have

come from the dredging of the adjacent River Robe. Directly underlying the boulder layer was the natural

limestone bedrock and in places a natural, orange boulder clay.

Trench 4 measured 30m x 1.5m. At the western end of the trench the garden topsoil 0.2m thick directly

overlay a sheet of natural limestone bedrock Midway along the trench a redeposited natural boulder clay

0.15m thick directly underlay the garden topsoil. An old sod layer 0.21m thick, which produced some tin and

plastic, directly underlay the redeposited boulder clay. Underlying the old sod layer was a light brown clay

0.55m thick, which produced some modern glass. The light brown clay directly overlay a natural, orange

boulder clay. At the eastern end of the trench a light brown, sticky clay 0.8m thick directly underlay the garden

topsoil. This sticky clay, which directly overlay the natural limestone bedrock and in places a white, silty gravel,

produced some modern white‐glazed and Willow Pattern pottery.

No archaeological features or finds were recovered from any of the trenches.

An examination of all the other areas on the site where construction work had taken place produced no

evidence of any archaeological features or finds.


Mayo

1999:App2

THE LOUGH MASK REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEME, STAGE II,

CONTRACT 6, BALLINROBE–CLAREMORRIS–BALLINDINE

Prehistoric

94E0017 ext.

Archaeological monitoring and excavation on the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme, Stage II,

Contract 6, commenced in December 1994 and were completed in September 1995. Following monitoring of

topsoil removal, six areas produced features and/or small finds of archaeological importance.

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The archaeological licence issued for this scheme, 94E017, was an extension to that issued for the Ballinrobe

Sewerage and Sewage Disposal Scheme (Excavations 1994, 66–8).

Site No. 40—fulacht fiadh, Friarsquarter East

Following topsoil removal, an area of charcoal‐enriched soil and fragments of heat‐shattered sandstones was

exposed in Friarsquarter East townland. The burnt material was very shallow, only c. 0.05m thick. No features

or small finds were recovered from the site.

Site No. 41—fulacht fiadh, Cloonnagashel

Following topsoil removal, an area of charcoal‐enriched soil and fragments of heat‐shattered sandstones

measuring 1m x 1.5m was exposed in Cloonnagashel townland. The burnt material was very shallow, only

0.03m thick. No features or small finds were recovered from the site.

Site No. 42—fulacht fiadh, Clareen


measuring 5m x 4m was exposed on the northern side of the wayleave in the townland of Clareen. The burnt

material, which was only 0.05m thick, produced 150 fragments of animal bone, all of which were cattle. One

long bone fragment, a femur, had been cut, and this provided the only example of butchery from the site.

Seven of the eleven epiphyses were fused, suggesting an animal older than 21/2 years.

Site No. 43—fulacht fiadh, Pollaweela


measuring 2m x 1.5m was exposed in Pollaweela townland. The burnt material was only 0.04m thick. No

features or small finds of archaeological importance were recovered from the site.

Site No. 44—stone scatter, Clare

During topsoil removal a small number of chert flakes were recovered in the townland of Clare.

Site No. 45—Bronze Age settlement site, Leedaun

Two areas, c. 30m apart, produced evidence of Bronze Age activity.

The earliest evidence for human activity in Area I was represented by five ditches that cut into the natural

subsoil. While these may be isolated features, it is likely that they represent a number of parallel ditches that

ran north‐west/south‐east across the site.

Overlying these ditches was a layer of redeposited natural soil. The main occupation levels were recorded

overlying this redeposited natural and consisted of a general spread of grey, charcoal‐enriched soil.

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A radiocarbon date of 2121–1750 BC was received from this occupation layer. The occupation layer was

bounded on one side by a wide, shallow, curved trench. A concentration of stake‐holes, a hearth and a

number of horizontal charcoal stains were found immediately to the south‐west of this trench.

A total of 263 lithic artefacts were recovered from Area I. These were made predominantly from chert but also

from black limestone, flint and quartz. They consisted of 110 flakes, six cores, five blades and nineteen

retouched tools. Eleven of the retouched tools were scrapers. Seventy‐nine animal bones were recovered. The

collection was dominated by cattle bones, with pig and sheep poorly represented. Butchery was noted on

cattle humerii only.

Area II, 30m north‐east of Area I, also revealed some important archaeological features and small finds. The

wayleave here partly truncated a levelled fulacht fiadh. This area was dominated by a series of criss‐cross

cultivation furrows. Some of these were of recent date, while the remainder were of unknown date. A

radiocarbon date of 1606–1400 BC was obtained for a charcoal sample from this area.

A total of 267 lithic artefacts were recovered from Area II. The assemblage mirrored that from Area I, except

that the retouched artefacts were somewhat different in that there were less scrapers and more robust

flakes.

Ninety‐six chert flakes, six cores, five blades and twelve retouched tools were recovered. The finding of a large

flint flake and a polished mudstone axe, which are more reminiscent of a Neolithic tradition, was of note. Two

single cattle teeth and two very fragmentary prehistoric pottery sherds were also recovered.

Editor’s note: This report had not been published in the relevant Excavations bulletin, and Mr Walsh requested

that this error now be put right.

Gerry Walsh, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

Mayo

2000:0722

RATHKELLY, BALLINROBE

Adjacent to enclosure

SMR 118:21

00R0705

Pre‐development testing was undertaken on the site of a proposed development in Rathkelly, Ballinrobe, Co.

Mayo. An enclosure is located within the proposed development site. A 15m buffer zone extending out from

the outer edge of the enclosure is to be retained on the proposed development site. Three test‐trenches were

excavated with a machine in September 2000.

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Trench 1 was 60m long x 2m. The sod/topsoil was 0.04–0.08m thick and directly overlay the natural bedrock

and in places a light brown, natural boulder clay.

Trench 2 was also 60m x 2m. In the eastern half of the trench the sod/topsoil, 0.1m thick, directly overlay the

natural broken bedrock In the western half the sod/topsoil, 0.2m thick, directly overlay a natural, orange

boulder clay and in places broken bedrock.

Trench 3 measured 50m x 2m. In the northern end of the trench the sod/topsoil, 0.17m thick, directly overlay

a natural, grey gravel and in places broken bedrock. Midway along the trench underlying the sod/topsoil 0.2m

thick was a layer of modern rubble fill and topsoil up to 1.8m thick, which directly overlay the natural bedrock.

At the southern end of the trench this modern fill layer was only 0.3m thick.

No archaeological features or small finds were recovered from any of the three test‐trenches.


Mayo

2002:1372

Neale Road, Ballinrobe

Garden paths

11917 26436

02E0806

Monitoring of topsoil‐stripping at a housing development at Neale Road,

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, was carried out on 4 and 5 June 2002. The development consisted of the construction of

fourteen dwellings with ancillary services and was within the constraint area for Ballinrobe town, SMR 118:22.

The site was in a field at the south end of the town. Immediately to the west‐north‐west was Cranmore House,

in ruins.

The area measured 30–95m north–south by 52–86m and was stripped to a depth of 0.15–0.4m. Not all topsoil

was removed, as it averaged 0.25–0.3m thick. Where it was fully removed, it exposed orange/brown friable

subsoil. The single feature uncovered was six paths, 1.5–2m wide, constructed of stone rubble, including red‐

brick and slate fragments. Four of these were parallel to the four boundaries, at a short distance inside them.

The two remaining paths cut the field into quarters. All six paths intersected at some point. The paths are

shown on the relevant 6‐inch and 25‐inch OS maps. They formed part of a garden/orchard that was attached

to Cranmore House. The paths were retained below the development, which required the filling up of the site

to 1–2.2m above the existing ground level. Finds from the topsoil were all modern.

Richard Crumlish, 61 An Cladrach, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

Mayo

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2003:1301

Abbey Street, Ballinrobe


1193 2645

03E0336

Pre‐development testing at the site of a proposed townhouse fronting onto Abbey Street and two apartments

fronting onto Abbey Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, was carried out on 24 March 2003. The proposed

development was within the zone of archaeological potential for Ballinrobe (SMR 118:22) and was near a

medieval Augustinian abbey.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of three trenches. Below the concrete and topsoil was

rubble fill and grey/brown firm sandy clay loam. Within the topsoil in places was recent backfill. The topsoil

and rubble fill contained modern artefacts. The grey/brown firm sandy clay loam was sterile natural subsoil.

The testing revealed evidence of modern activity only.


Mayo

2003:1302

Ballinrobe Demesne


1189 2638

03E0934

Monitoring of groundworks associated with the construction of a dwelling‐house and domestic garage, with

connection to public services, was carried out in Ballinrobe Demesne townland, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, on 23

July 2003. The proposed development was 90m from a possible stone circle (SMR 118:134). The site was a

field of pasture and rock outcrop.

The site development works consisted of the stripping of the driveway, house and garage. The stratigraphy

consisted of topsoil above orange/grey/brown friable silt loam (natural subsoil) and bedrock, which

outcropped in places. One sherd of modern pottery and one rusted horseshoe were recovered from the

topsoil.


Mayo

2004:1132

MAIN STREET, BALLINROBE

Urban

1191 2643

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04E0041

Pre‐development testing was carried out between 15 and 23 January 2004 at a site in advance of its

development at Main Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Testing was necessary because the proposed development

was within the archaeological constraint for Ballinrobe town (SMR 118:22).

The testing comprised the excavation (by machine) of five trenches, which measured 4m, 3.5m, 16m, 15.5m

and 8.3m long respectively and were 1‐1.8m wide and 0.1‐1.8m deep. The stratigraphy revealed was rubble

fills, topsoil and features (a flag floor, mortared rubble, red‐brick walls, wall foundations) associated with the

existing buildings on the site, above sterile natural subsoils. One of the walls contained a reused architectural

fragment that was dressed with 19th‐century horizontal tooling and had a stop‐chamfer. Only modern

artefacts were recovered.


Mayo

2005:1099

BRIDGE STREET, BALLINROBE


1192 2645

SMR 118:22

05E0519

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 16 May 2005 at a site in advance of its development at The Hilltop

Bar, Bridge Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. The proposed development was located within the constraint area for

Ballinrobe. The development consisted of the demolition of a toilet block and the construction of an extension

to the existing bar facilities, new toilets, office space, kitchen space, keg room and covered storage yard area

with three apartments at first‐floor level.

Four trenches were excavated, which measured 10.1m, 2.45m, 4.5m and 5.1m long, 0.9–1.3m wide and 0.95–

1.8m deep. Below the concrete and hardcore was loose rubble fill (which consisted of soil, rocks, concrete, red

bricks, bits of timber and contained modern artefacts such as plastic and modern glass bottles), a layer of

stone flags (partially within the fill) and three courses of a mortared rubble wall. Below the rubble fill and the

flagstones was sterile grey/orange/brown friable silt loam and redeposited mottled firm clay. Below the silt

loam was sterile grey friable sandy silt loam. Below the redeposited layer and the rubble wall was sterile

grey/brown plastic clay. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered.

The site, according its owner, was an open yard which had a stone flag surface until less than twenty years

ago, when it was filled and covered with hardcore and concrete. The wall was part of an outhouse/shed

recently demolished at the site.

Richard Crumlish, 4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

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Mayo

2005:1100

BRIDGE STREET, BALLINROBE


1191 2644

SMR 118:22

05E0975

Pre‐development testing was carried out over three days between 19 and 22 August 2005 at a site in advance

of its development at Bridge Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. The proposed development, the construction of

three houses, nineteen apartments and a shop unit with access road, car parking, refuse storage, bicycle

parking and all associated site works, was located within the constraint area for Ballinrobe town.

A cinema and a brewery/power house, demolished in recent years, had been on the site. As a result of the

demolition, etc., the site had been filled up considerably. The brewery was built in the early to mid‐19th

century and was owned by a Mr Tighe, whose proposed use of the adjacent River Robe to power the brewery

was objected to by a Mr Kenny, the owner of a mill located a short distance away on the far side of the river.

Mr Tighe apparently tried to divert water from the Bulkan River, located on the far side of the town, and this

attempt is still visible in the form of a dry channel along the east side of the Robe. A court case of 1848

prevented Mr Tighe developing his venture further. During the Second World War a power‐generating plant

apparently made use of the brewery building. This venture continued to supply electricity to the town until

Ballinrobe was connected to the national grid in the 1950s. The cinema was constructed in the 1950s and

continued in use until the 1970s.

Four trenches were excavated to best cover the site area. These measured 12m, 22m, 29m and 40.8m long,

0.9–2.5m wide and 0.1–3.4m deep. The recording and assessment of three of the trenches proved difficult due

their depth and the loose nature of the fill, which made up a large proportion of their contents. The

stratigraphy uncovered was evidence of activity associated with the cinema and the earlier brewery/power

house. A concrete floor and concrete wall uncovered were part of the cinema building. Two culverts, a number

of walls and a mortared surface appear to have been associated with the brewery and later power house

building. Above these features were hardcore and modern fills. Below the features and the fills was a dark‐

brown friable silt loam, probably the original topsoil on the site. Below the silt loam were sterile natural

subsoils in the form of grey plastic clay and sand and gravel. Bedrock was visible in two of the trenches.

The fills contained modern artefacts. The friable silt loam contained occasional shell fragments, animal bone

fragments, red‐brick fragments and modern pottery sherds.


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Mayo

2005:1101

CHURCH LANE, BALLINROBE


1192 2643

SMR 118:22

05E0325

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 20 and 21 July 2005 at a site in advance of its development at

Church Lane, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. The proposed development, which consisted of the demolition of existing

structures and construction of a three‐storey and penthouse block, accommodating eighteen apartments and

four retail units, auxiliary car parking and associated external works, was located within the archaeological

constraint for Ballinrobe town. A building survey had been compiled on the standing buildings on the site; no

medieval fabric was in evidence. The demolition of the existing structures was monitored and two cut‐stone

arches and a number of cut and dressed limestone blocks were removed for safe storage, to be reused in the

proposed development.

Four trenches were excavated to best cover the proposed development. These measured 24.6m, 18.9m,

16.5m and 17m long, 0.9–1.6m wide and 0.45–1.4m deep. The stratigraphy uncovered was evidence of

modern activity on the site, associated with the buildings (of 19th‐ and 20th‐century date) recently

demolished; i.e. rubble wall foundations, a concrete floor, a layer of cobbles and rubble fill. To the rear of the

buildings was a recent hardcore yard over the original back garden (i.e. topsoil). A backfilled trench, which was

visible in two of the trenches and contained animal bone fragments and a clay‐pipe stem, appeared also to be

a modern feature. All of the above were located above sterile natural subsoil.

Only modern artefacts were recovered during the testing. Nothing of archaeological significance was in

evidence.


Mayo

2005:1102

MAIN STREET, BALLINROBE

Urban

1192 2644

04E1709

Monitoring of groundworks involved in the laying of four 125mm ESB ducts from Main Street, Ballinrobe,

through the Church of Ireland graveyard, to a new substation located at the north‐west corner of an adjacent

development, took place in two phases, 17–19 January and 18–19 April 2005. The church located within the

graveyard (now in use as a local library) is marked on the first edition of the OS 6‐inch sheet (1838) and it was

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repaired in 1815 with a grant of £300 from the Board of First Fruits, but the date of its construction is not

known. A number of 18th‐century grave slabs within the graveyard probably date the church and graveyard to

that century.

The trench excavated for the installation of the ducts measured c. 140m long, 0.8–1.2m wide and 0.7–1.0m

deep. On the surface of the trench was a mixture of tarmac (in Main Street and along some of its length

through the graveyard), concrete (footpath on east side of Main Street) and hardcore (along some of its length

within the graveyard). Below the tarmac on Main Street and the concrete footpath along the east side of Main

Street was hardcore, which was found above orange/brown plastic clay. A number of services were visible

within this section of the trench.

Within the graveyard, tarmac and hardcore were found on the surface. Below the tarmac was hardcore. Below

the hardcore was topsoil and fill and orange/brown plastic clay. Below the topsoil and the fill was

orange/brown friable silt loam, orange/brown friable sandy clay loam and orange/brown plastic clay. The

topsoil contained modern artefacts and a human skull fragment. The fill consisted of stones and rocks and

contained modern artefacts, animal bone fragments (cattle, sheep, sheep/goat, pig and bird), occasional

charcoal flecks and a moderate amount of oyster shell. A stone culvert and a number of modern services were

also revealed.

The groundworks revealed modern activity only; i.e. tarmac, concrete, hardcore, topsoil and rubble fill, which

contained modern artefacts. The orange/brown plastic clay, orange/brown friable silt loam and orange/brown

friable sandy clay loam were sterile natural subsoils. The culvert is probably 18th‐ or 19th‐century in date. The

skull fragment found in the topsoil was probably redeposited from a burial elsewhere in the graveyard.


Mayo

2006:1403

Church Lane, Ballinrobe

Urban

11917 26436

MA118–022

06E0183

Pre‐development testing was carried out on the site of a proposed commercial development at Church Lane,

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, on 15 March 2006. The site is located in the south‐west part of the area of constraint

around the historic town. Some nondescript sheds and walls were demolished and a concrete slab removed

prior to testing. Testing comprised the excavation of two trenches on the footprint of the proposed

development. A rubble layer, 0.15m in thickness, overlay an old garden soil deposit with an average thickness

of 0.45m. This overlay orange/brown silty sand subsoil. No archaeological material was uncovered.

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Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway.

Mayo

2006:1404

Knockfereen, Ballinrobe


1192 2639

MA118–022

06E0496

Pre‐development testing was carried out at a site at Knockfereen townland, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, on 8 June

2006. The proposed development, the construction of four townhouses, was located within the archaeological

constraint for Ballinrobe town. No archaeological features were visible within the proposed development site,

most of which was covered in tarmac, having served previously as a carpark for an adjacent pub and

restaurant, now a private dwelling.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of three trenches, which measured 12.6m, 29m and

23.7m long respectively, 1.1–1.4m wide and 0.2–0.9m deep. Below the tarmac on the surface was hardcore.

Below the hardcore was grey/brown friable silt loam. The silt loam contained several sherds of modern

pottery, modern glass bottles and glass fragments. Below the silt loam was orange/brown compact clay. Below

topsoil, which was found along a section of one of the trenches, was orange/brown firm clay loam. The topsoil

contained several modern pottery sherds and modern glass fragments. A number of modern water services

(12mm in diameter) crossed two of the trenches. A disarticulated animal burial was found just below the

surface in one of the trenches. Several sherds of modern pottery were visible with the burial.

The testing revealed evidence of modern activity associated with the building located immediately west of the

proposed development site. Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.


Mayo

2006:1405

Main Street, Ballinrobe


1191 2643

MA118–02206E0932

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 22 September 2006 at a site at Main Street, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

The proposed development, the construction of a three‐storey building comprising shop unit to ground floor

and two apartments to first and second floors, the demolition of one outbuilding and the conversion of one

outbuilding to two‐storey apartment, connection to public sewer and all ancillary site works, was located

within the archaeological constraint for Ballinrobe town. No archaeological features were visible within the

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proposed development site, which consisted of a tarred yard containing a number of outhouses. The yard was

adjacent to a large early 19th‐century dwelling house, formerly a rectory.

Testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of two trenches, which measured 27.8m and 4.3m long, 1–

1.4m wide and 0.35–1.15m deep. Below the tarmac was cobbles and modern rubble fill, above topsoil, above

sterile grey/orange/brown plastic clay. The topsoil and fill contained modern pottery sherds, a red‐brick

fragment, a small number of animal bones and one oyster shell. A land drain, which was uncovered at 0.8m

below the surface in one of the trenches, contained red‐brick fragments and one modern pottery sherd.

The testing revealed evidence of modern activity associated with the large 19th‐century dwelling house.

Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.


Mayo

2007:1217

Ballinrobe Broadband Scheme

Urban – testing

119175 264364

06E1085

The Ballinrobe broadband scheme involves trenching for 7.22km of ducting laid within footpaths, roads and

road verges in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

Four stone‐built drains were encountered within pipe trenches during the monitoring of works. The first of

these was located on Bowgate Street (119143 264111). The section exposed in the pipe trench was 7m in

length and 0.4m beneath the road surface. A second stone drain was encountered at the southern limits of

Ballinrobe town in Knockfereen townland (119391 263480) c. 30m east of the water towers. The exposed

section of limestone coursing was 3.5–4m in length running north–south. The third stone drain was found in

the pipe trench at the north end of Main Street at the junction with Glebe Street (119170 264477). It was

located 0.4–0.5m below the road surface and consisted of randomly coursed dry limestone. A 2–3m‐wide

cross‐section of the stone drain was exposed. A fourth stone drain was exposed in the broadband pipe trench

which ran east–west under the footpath along High Street (118965 264566). The stone drain was stone

capped with carefully constructed walls of coursed limestone. The visible length measured 18m. The visible

area of each of these four stone drains was recorded; exposed masonry was covered with terram and

preserved in situ.

Some modern finds including clay‐pipe fragments were uncovered during monitoring.

Bernard Guinan, Coosan, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Mayo

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2007:1218

Cornoroya, Ballinrobe

Graveyard

1199251 264372

MA118:022

07E0043

Testing took place within the grounds of Mayo County Library, in Ballinrobe town in advance of the

development of a proposed eight‐bay parking area. The library occupies the former St Mary’s Church of

Ireland church which was built in 1840. It functioned as a place of worship until 1996 when Mayo County

Council converted the building into a public library.

The test area measured 4m by 20m north–south. Two hand‐excavated trenches were laid out across the test

area (2m by 4m east–west). A thin, dark‐brown topsoil (0.05–0.1m deep) covered the area. Some modern

material was found within this context including clay‐pipe fragments, nails, slate, brick, bone fragments,

decorated tile and pottery sherds. Immediately beneath the topsoil lay a compact deposit of stone, gravel and

clay (0.17–0.3m in depth). The deposit contained mortar, ash, brick, tarmac, slate, modern pottery sherds,

animal bone and wood fragments and would appear to be a deposit of construction material that was dumped

in this area. Occasional disturbed fragments of human bone were found within this context in both trenches.

This material may have derived from the construction of an access road (immediately east of the test area)

through the graveyard in the 1960s. It overlay a dark‐brown peaty clay (0.14–0.25m) which appears to be the

original topsoil in this area of the graveyard. This context contained modern finds that include pottery sherds,

brick, wood fragments, tile fragment, metal fragments, glass and animal bone. In addition a moderate amount

of disturbed human bone fragments are present including a possible finger bone/digit and a femur ball joint. A

deposit of stone (0.1–0.35m in depth) was encountered beneath this original topsoil. It consisted of medium

to large sub‐angular stones.

Four clearly defined grave‐cuts were identified. Three of these were located at the east end of Trench 1 and

the other at the east end of Trench 2. The top of an adult cranium and mandible was visible in the upper fill of

one of these grave‐cuts. Following the positive identification of formal burials testing was concluded. The

identified grave‐cuts were preserved in situ. The trenches were lined with terram, backfilled with soil and

reinstated. Mayo County Council does not now propose to construct a parking bay at this location.


Mayo

2008:870

Cornmarket, Ballinrobe


119292 264076

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MA118–022

08E0424

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 6 June 2008 at a site at Cornmarket, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. The

site was located within the constraint for Ballinrobe town (MA118–022). There were no archaeological

features visible within the site, which contained a late 20th‐century two‐storey dwelling with attached

outbuilding and concrete yard to the rear (east) and associated lawn to the west and north. The proposed

development was mixed use comprising commercial space, apartments and car parking, located on the east

side of the Cornmarket in Ballinrobe town.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of four trenches located to best cover the area while

avoiding the two‐storey dwelling and outbuilding located on the site, the demolition of which was part of the

planning application. The trenches measured 12.2m, 9.9m, 9.7m and 4.3m long respectively, 1–1.5m wide and

0.55–1.7m deep. Below the topsoil, tarmac and concrete on the surface was modern fill, which contained

modern 20th‐century artefacts. Below the fill was bedrock, visible as high as 0.5m below the surface. The

previous owner of the site informed me that, prior to building the dwelling in the early 1970s, he filled in the

site in the late 1960s with material that came from the local Catholic church, which was being renovated at

that time. The site prior to its backfilling had been a quarry and, according to the previous owner, the surface

was a sheet of rock. He also informed me that the site had been used as a pound for animals during fair days.

Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.


Mayo

2008:871

Cornmarket, Ballinrobe


119237 264081

MA118–022

08E0971

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 19 December 2008 at a site in advance of development at

Cornmarket, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. The site was located within the constraint for Ballinrobe town (MA118–

022). The site consisted of a two‐storey dwelling, part of a terrace which runs along the northern side of the

Cornmarket in Ballinrobe. To the rear of the dwelling was a two‐storey concrete outhouse and yard with a

raised lawn further to the north. The dwelling appeared to date to the 19th century, with 20th‐century

internal alterations and a flat‐roofed extension to the rear. The development consisted of the conversion and

extension of the dwelling house and change of use from a dwelling house to a hostel.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of one trench in the one accessible area of the site; i.e.

the open yard to the rear of the dwelling house, alongside the concrete outhouse. The trench measured

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11.9m long, 1–1.2m wide and 0.2–0.4m deep. Below the concrete and maintenance/quarried stone on the

surface was orange/brown plastic compact clay (natural subsoil), visible as high as 0.1m below the surface. As

the lawn area to the north was 1.1m higher than the yard and the floor of the adjacent outhouse/shed to the

west of the yard, it appeared that this area must have been reduced at some time in the 20th century. No

artefacts were recovered. Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.


Mayo

2008:872

Cornoroya, Ballinrobe

Graveyard

1199251 264372

MA118–022

08E0776

Testing took place within the grounds of a branch of Mayo County Library in Ballinrobe town (MA118–022) in

advance of the proposed installation of ducting and lighting within the grounds of the library. The library

occupies a former church, St Mary’s Church (Church of Ireland), which was built in 1840. It functioned as a

place of worship until 1996 when Mayo County Council converted the building into a public library.

In 2007 a programme of testing was conducted within the grounds of the library in advance of the

construction of a proposed eight‐bay carpark. That test area was located 3m west of the current proposed

ducting and lighting line. Two hand‐excavated trenches revealed in situ human remains beneath a layer of

modern disturbance. These burials were preserved in situ and the planned carpark was abandoned

(Excavations 2007, No. 1218, 07E0043).

The testing methodology in advance of the ducting and lighting line was to excavate four 15m‐long by 0.5m‐

wide machine‐cut trenches (I–IV), along the eastern verge of the existing metalled entrance and driveway to

the library. This driveway was constructed through the graveyard in the 1960s. Trenches I, II and III were laid

out north–south at 15m intervals. Trench IV was laid out east–west 15m west of Trench III.

Work commenced at the southern end of Trench I at the entrance to the library from Church Lane. The test

area was lined with mature sycamore and ash trees and the upper levels of the topsoil were characterised by

interwoven lateral roots. Within the topsoil was a range of modern detritus, indicating a degree of

disturbance. Also noted were occasional fragments of disarticulated bone. At the junction of the topsoil and

boulder clay five in situ grave‐cuts were identified c. 0.6m below the surface of the driveway.

Following the positive identification of formal burials testing was concluded. The identified grave‐cuts were

preserved in situ. The trench was lined with terram, backfilled with soil and reinstated. A sample of bone was

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taken for radiocarbon dating. Due to the presence of in situ burials, Mayo County Council have suspended

plans to install lighting and ducts at this location as originally planned.


Mayo

2008:873

Convent Road, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe


119989 264545

08E0855

Testing was carried out in advance of the demolition of three buildings and the construction of a new housing

development. A total of 22 test‐trenches were excavated at the site. Nothing of archaeological significance

was identified during the testing.

Fran Wilkinson, Tempus Archaeology, Cregg, Craughwell, Co. Galway.

Mayo

2008:874

High Street, Ballinrobe

Urban, post‐medieval

118958 264632

MA118–022

08E0583

Pre‐development testing was carried out on 31 July and 1 August 2008 at a site at High Street, Ballinrobe, Co.

Mayo. The site was located within the constraint for Ballinrobe town (MA118–022). There were no

archaeological features visible within the site, which contained a large timber shed (13.6m by 5.4m) on a

concrete base along the western site boundary, a turf shed (5.6m by 4.6m) along the southern site boundary

and a stoned yard. The timber shed was removed prior to the testing. The proposed development consisted of

the construction of a dwelling house together with all other necessary siteworks.

The site was located on the north‐western outskirts of Ballinrobe town, at the northern end of a terrace of

houses on the east side of High Street. A stone plaque dated the construction of one of the dwellings along the

terrace to 1782. The site appeared to have been the rear entrance to Kenny’s, the local landlord’s residence

located a short distance south‐east of the site.

The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of four trenches which measured 13.2m, 4.8m, 14.25m

and 14.4m long respectively, 0.95–1.4m wide and 0.2–1.1m deep. Below the concrete and gravel on the

surface was hardcore, above fill, above orange/brown plastic clay. The fill contained red‐brick fragments, a

small number of animal‐bone fragments and modern pottery sherds. A rubble wall foundation, which

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measured 0.6m wide and 0.4m deep, was visible in one of the trenches. A burnt deposit which contained

frequent iron slag (36 pieces in total), occasional charcoal and small rocks was found in another trench. It

measured 2m long, up to 0.85m wide and up to 0.65m deep. The deposit was found below the fill and above

the clay.

The remaining stratigraphy uncovered was associated with the concrete base for the timber shed and the

surrounding stoned yard, above modern fill, above natural subsoil. The rubble foundation was visible on the

internal face of the existing western site boundary and appeared to be the remains of one of two east–west‐

orientated walls shown on the first‐edition OS map of 1838.

Unfortunately the burnt deposit did not contain easily datable artefacts; however, there were a number of

industries dating to the mid‐18th/19th/early 20th centuries located in this area of Ballinrobe, namely a mill

and a brewery located on the south bank of the River Robe, a short distance away to the east. Another

possible source of the deposit could have been a forge which was located on the western side of High Street,

within 50m of the proposed development site. A more likely source of the deposit, however, was the site’s

location in what was previously part of a yard associated with Robe Villa, the local landlord’s (Kenny’s)

dwelling, which was built in the mid‐18th century. The Kennys, like most landowners of that time, had a coach‐

house and stables, which were located nearby and would have required the services of a blacksmith.

Therefore the likely date for the deposit was mid‐18th to early 20th century.


Mayo

2009:589

BELLANALOOB/ARDNACALLY/ ROBEEN/BALLINROBE

DEMESNE/CORNAROYA/ KNOCKFEREEN/RATHKELLY

Various

12471 27351; 12456 27276; 12349 26933; 11917 26436

MA100–135, MA100–136, MA110–48, MA118–022

09E0235

The Bord G$is networks feeder and distribution mains for Ballinrobe town and environs involved the laying of

a gas distribution main within Ballinrobe town and a feeder main which extended for a distance of 17km

north‐eastwards from the town to connect to the existing transmission pipeline at Knockroe, Mayo Abbey,Co.

Mayo. Six test‐trenches were opened along the route of the feeder and distribution mains in May 2009.

Three test‐trenches were opened within the historic town of Ballinrobe. A cobbled surface was uncovered at a

depth of 0.9m on the east side of the bridge at Bridge Street. The existing bridge was built in 1845 but it is

likely that the cobbled surface is associated with the earlier bridge and may be contemporary with the

complex of 18th‐and 19thcentury mill buildings located on the opposite bank of the river. Given the depth of

this particular section of cobbling, it was considered likely that this feature could be preserved in situ during

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subsequent development works. Two trenches were opened in the vicinity of the Church of Ireland church at

Church Lane. The existing church is believed to occupy the site of the medieval parish church of St Mary’s. No

archaeological material was uncovered in these trenches.

Three trenches were opened within the areas of constraint for MA100–135 (enclosure), MA100–136

(enclosure) and MA110–048 (ecclesiastical remains), which are located along the route of the proposed feeder

main. No archaeological material was uncovered in the vicinity of the enclosures but fragments of

disarticulated human remains were exposed in the trench located within the area of constraint around the

ecclesiastical complex at Robeen. A second test‐trench, 15m long, was opened on the opposite side of the

road and further disarticulated human remains were uncovered. Four test‐pits were subsequently opened,

two to the north and two to the south of the second test‐trench, in order to establish the extent of the

archaeological material. Disarticulated human remains were uncovered in one of the test‐pits located to the

north of the test‐trench. As a result of this extensive programme of testing, it was agreed that a 96m section

of the feeder main would be inserted by means of directional‐drilling at a depth of 2m below the road surface

thereby providing a 0.9m buffer below the archaeological material and ensuring preservation in situ of same.

Subsequent monitoring of development works was carried out from May to September 2009. Features

uncovered during monitoring included further sections of cobbling both east and west of the bridge on Bridge

Street, two pits at Abbey Street and two fragments of timber at Friarsquarter West. The cobbling and timbers

were preserved in situ and the pits were recorded in section.

Dominic Delany, Dominic Delany & Associates, Unit 3, Howley Court, Oranmore, Co. Galway.

No previous licenced archaeological work was found to have been conducted within the boundaries

of the proposed development site or its general vicinity as per a review of www.excavations.ie (the

database of licenced archaeological work (accessed June 2013) which is updated yearly and currently

contains summary accounts of all excavations from 1970 to 2009).

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9.3 List of Protected structures

Building Name/Title

Townlands and Postal Towns

Ref. No. Description

Lough Mask Castle Knocknamucklagh, Ballinrobe

0009 Three miles south west of Ballinrobe is a castle with a very fine tall strong house, gables and four tall stacks, still partly covered with its original lime plaster, on the shores of Lough Mask.

Burke’s Tower House Castle, Castle‐Carra

0012 At the northeast shore of Lough Carra is a Carra medieval tower house with a 17th Century house added to the south.

Castlecarra Tower House

Castlecarra 0013 On the northeast shore Lough Carra is a Carra medieval tower house, with two complexes of ruined buildings in the woods.

Moorehall Ballyglass, Carnacon

022 Three‐storey ruin dated 1795 with the motto ‘Fortis Cedere Sedere Non Potest’ in the remains of the plasterwork. Tunnel underground behind the house. Tablet memory of John Moore 1798, nothing to commemorate George Moore.

Clonagashel House

Cloonark, Ballinrobe

060 Detached five bay two storey to front, three storey to rear c. 1750, round headed Gibbsian door surround with original fan light. Set within extensive grounds including a medieval tower house. Formally a country house now used as clubhouse for Ballinrobe golf club

Liskilleen House Liskilleen, Ballygarries

061 Detached L‐plan three bay two storey rendered house c. 1850, the house is set within its own grounds, having a planted avenue of trees to the front and stone out buildings to the north and north west.

Cloonee House Rocksborough, Ballinrobe

062 Detached five bay two storey c. 1760, the house has planted gardens to the west overlooking Lough Mask and a walled garden tot he north, to the east are three blocks of stone out buildings round a gravel court yard including one three storey castellated tower to the south.

Springvale Mill Creagh Road, Ballinrobe

063 Detached four bay three storey limestone former mill building c. 1850, single storey rubble stone out building to south and two bay two storey former mill building to east retaining timber water wheel now converted to a dwelling.

4 Curramore House Curramore Ballinrobe

064 Detached three bay two storey limestone house rising to three storey to rear having a rendered three storey stair tower to south. The grounds are entered into through a substantial gateway having a stone gate lodge to the west and a series of 20th century dwellings have been constructed to either side of the drive way.

Creagh House Creagh Road, Creagh Demesne,

Ballinrobe

065 Large detached five bay twothree‐storey house c. 1875, the building is set within a substantial demesne largely to pasture with some mid and late 20th century dwellings constructed

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alongside the driveway. Bank of Ireland Main Street,

Ballinrobe 066 Detached four bay two storey rendered purpose

built bank c. 1865. James Crosby Main Street,

Ballinrobe 067 Terraced five bay two storey rendered house c.

1830, street fronted building located within a terrace of early 19thcentury buildings.

The Allied Irish Bank Main Street, Ballinrobe

068 Apparently an early two storey rendered house set back from the street with a three bay single storey banking hall built c. 1865 in its front site.

Valkenburg Hotel Main street, Ballinrobe

069 End of terrace five bay three storey limestone faced building c. 1820, encasing a Gibbsian door case.

Teresa Mullins Main Street, Ballinrobe

070 Terraced four bay three storey with dormer attic storey rendered house c. 1900 with plain glass fan light.

Credit Union Main Street, Ballinrobe

071 Terraced two bay three storey stone building built in 1851, having two shallow elliptical archways over the ground floor windows/doors.

Peter Hughes Main Street, Ballinrobe

072 Terraced one bay three storey, stone building built in 1851.

St. Mary’s Curate’s House


073 Detached three bay two storeys rendered Curates house, c. 1930. The house is located within the grounds of St. Mary’s RC Church.

St. Mary’s Parochial House

Main street, Ballinrobe

074 Detached three bay storey rendered Parochial House c.1878. Set back for the mainroad within the grounds of St.Mary’s RC Church.

St. Mary’s RC Church Main Street, Ballinrobe

075 Detached Cruciform plan gable‐fronted limestone RC French Gothic Basilica, dating from 1863, on an east‐west orientation having later modifications to include the square profile tower. Set within own grounds with the Parochial and Curates House to the east.

Cranmore House Bow Gate Street, Ballinrobe

076 Detached five bay two storey over basement Roman cement rendered house, dating to 1838 in a derelict condition. Set within own substantial grounds.

Ballinrobe Public Library

Off Main Street/ Church Lane, Ballinrobe

077 Detached three bay single cell former Church of Ireland Church, c. 1840. Set back form the main road within own grounds.

8 Stone House Main Street, Ballinrobe

078 Terraced eight bay three storey cu limestone building c. 1835. Street fronted building opening onto concrete pavement.

Market House Main Street, Ballinrobe

079 Semi‐detached five bay two storey lime mortar rendered Market House, c. 1775. Rounded headed arch door opening one at each end encasing timber panelled doors.

Kenny’s Mill complex Bridge Street, Ballinrobe

080 Attached multiple bay six and seven storey rendered rubble stone industrial mill structure. C. 1800 on an L‐shaped plan.

Ballinrobe House High Street, Ballinrobe

081 Detached seven bay two storey over concealed rendered house, c. 1790. Large industrial mill complex to the rear of the site. Set back from street with the front site bound by wrought iron railings.

St. Colman’s National School

Corn Market, Ballinrobe

082 Detached seven bay two storey rendered school building c. 1875.

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Ulster Bank Glebe Street, Ballinrobe

083 Corner sited four bay, three storey over concealed basement cut limestone banking house c. 1895.

Hilltop Bar/ Art O’Neills Pub

Bridge Street, Ballinrobe

084 Corner sited end of terrace three bay three storey rendered building, built c. 1800, now divided between two licensed premises having a centrally located roundheaded arched door opening encasing a Gibbsian door case.

5 J.J. Hession Bridge Street, Ballinrobe

085 Terraced three bay two storey rendered building built c. 1800, having a centrally located round‐headed arched door.

Attached Stone House

High Street, Ballinrobe

086 Attached five bay two storey over basement rendered house, built c. 1790.

Convent of the Sisters of Mercy

Convent Road, Ballinrobe

087 Detached thirteen bay two storey over basement rendered convent building, c. 1851.

Old RC Church Castlebar Road,

Ballinrobe

088 Free standing cruciform‐plan rubble stone Church, c. 1830 set in churchyard having a two bay nave with single bay transepts.

Former Workhouse Ballinrobe 089 Detached five bay two‐storey limestone building, built 1841, as a administration block of the workhouse.

Annies Bridge Annies, Ballygarries

090 Triple span rock faced limestone ashlar road bridge, c. 1850, spanning a watercourse running to Lough Conn.

Light House Ballycurrin Desmense

0212 Circular rubble stone lighthouse of a high aesthetical quality c1772, located within the confines of the Ballycurrin Demesne on the shores of Lough Corrib.

Cranmore House Gate Lodge

Bowgate Street, Ballinrobe

0234 The gate lodge is an attractive single storey three bay structure having a single section gable front. The central section is flanked by single bay flat roof sections with timber doors.

Fitzpatricks Public House


0236 Two bay terraced townhouse having expansive shopfront to ground floor. The roof to the structure has been replaced in the recent past. The structure retains timber sash windows.

Credit Union Main Street, Ballinrobe

0237 Eight bay, three storey ashlar cut‐stone townhouse c.1850 having a large round‐headed carriageway with cut‐stone surrounds. There is an attractive pedestrian doorway flanking the carriageway. This opening has cut‐stone block and start surrounds

Military Barracks Bridge Street, Ballinrobe

0239 Former Military Barracks now in ruins and overgrown. The entrance is an unusual feature having radial laid voussoirs.

Ballinrobe Abbey Abbey Street, Ballinrobe

0240 Abbey located on Abbey Road having recently been conserved. The original layout to the structure is clearly visible with one of the stone cut gables still intact.

Weigh Bridge Cornmarket Ballinrobe

0241 The former weigh bridge at Cornmarket has retained much of its original character and is one of the few remaining weigh bridges in the county.

Former Fever Kilmaine Road, 0242 Cut‐stone five bay two storey former fever

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Hospital Ballinrobe hospital c. 1880 having pointed arch semi‐dormer windows to the first floor. The structure has a gable ended single span roof. There is a cut‐stone string course dividing the ground and first floor with a further cut stone frieze over the pointed arched entrance door and flanking square‐headed window openings.

Walsh's Abbey Street, Ballinrobe

0243 Two bay, three storey townhouse c.1830 having an attractive early shop front to the ground floor. The roof to the structure is gable ended having shouldered chimneystacks. The upper floors retain their historic window fenestration and have mould surrounds. The windows retain timber sash frames.

Table 2. List of protected structures in the town of Ballinrobe and surrounding area (source Limerick county Development Plan)

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9. Project References

1962 Geological Map of Ireland. Dublin: Geological Survey of Ireland. 1982 Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland, from the census of 1851. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company. Archaeological Survey of Ireland 1997, RMP constraint maps and Inventory for County Mayo. Dublin: The Stationery Office. Archaeological Survey of Ireland SMR archive Files. Unpublished. Bennett, I. Various dates Excavations. Bray: Wordwell. Dúchas 2001 Architectural Heritage Protection Guidelines for Planning Authorities. Dublin: Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Environmental Protection Agency 1995a Draft guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statements. Dublin: Environmental Publications. Environmental Protection Agency 1995b Advice Notes on current practice. Dublin: Environmental Publications. Environmental Protection Agency 2002 Guidelines on the information to be contained in Environmental Impact Statements. Dublin: Environmental Publications. Environmental Protection Agency 2003 Advice Notes on current practice. Dublin: Environmental Publications. Lewis, S. 1837 A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland. London: S. Lewis & Sons. O’Donovan, J. 1840a Ordnance Survey Letters for County Mayo O’Donovan, J. 1840b Ordnance Survey Namebooks for County Mayo Ballinrobe Local area Plan 2010‐2016 Mayo County Council www.utc.ie www.osi.ie

www.excavations.ie www.archaeology.ie

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