Report on Archaeological Excavation of Human Remains Road improvement works at Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway
Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd.
G04 January 2003
Licence Number 01E1180 (ext.)
Planning Number N/a
Volume 1 Results of Excavation
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Illustrations
List of plates
List of tables
1. SCOPE OF WORKS ...... 1
1.1. Introduction ...... 1 1.2. Purpose of the Project ...... 2 1.3. Archaeological Excavation ...... 3 2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT ...... 4
2.1. Description of the site ...... 4 2.2. Site Layout/Locational details ...... 5 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...... 6
3.1. Solid Geology...... 6 3.2. Soil Type ...... 6 3.3. Landscape ...... 6 4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ...... 7
4.1. Archaeological background ...... 7 4.1.1. Archaeological testing ...... 7 4.1.2. Prehistoric Period ...... 7 4.1.3. Early Medieval Period ...... 7 4.2. Historical Background ...... 8 4.2.1. The growth of the town in Ireland ...... 8 4.2.2. The town of Ballinasloe ...... 10 4.2.3. Ecclesiastical History ...... 10 4.2.4. The early history of Ballinasloe ...... 11 4.2.5. Post-medieval Ballinasloe ...... 12 4.2.6. The Public Asylum ...... 14 4.2.7. The Connaught Asylum ...... 14 5. BASELINE DATA ...... 16
5.1. Record of Monuments and Places ...... 16 5.2. The National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files ...... 23 5.3. Previous Archaeological Fieldwork in the area ...... 24 5.4. Aerial Photographs ...... 24 5.5. Cartographic Evidence ...... 25 6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION ...... 27
6.1. Introduction ...... 27 6.2. Methodology ...... 30 6.3. Results of excavation ...... 30 7. ANIMAL BONE ANALYSIS...... 55
8. HAIR SAMPLE AND INSECT ANALYSIS ...... 55
9. TIMBER ANALYSIS...... 56
10. CONCLUSION ...... 57
List of illustrations
Illustration 1 Project location
Illustration 2 Project location
Illustration 3 Site plan and location of burials
Illustration 4 Extract from William Petty’s Atlas
Illustration 5 Front elevation of St Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe (from O’Dwyer 1995)
Illustration 6 Extract from Galway RMP sheet no 88
Illustration 7 Extract from Taylor and Skinner’s Road Atlas of 1777
Illustration 8 Extract from 1837 1st edition Ordnance Survey map
Illustration 9 Northern group of burials
Illustration 10 Southern group of burials
Illustration 11 Profile of subject site and Creagh Church
Illustration 12 1880’s Hospital map overlaid on site plan showing test trenches
Illustration 13 reproduction of 1880’s map of St Brigid’s Hospital
List of plates
Plate 1 Looking north east across subject site
Plate 2 Looking north across western row of graves
Plate 3 Fly larva cases found in hair sample taken from skeleton 2
List of tables
Table 1 Locational details
Table 2 Age, sex and height estimation of skeletons
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY
This report describes the findings from an inhumations were evident on site or in the archaeological excavation carried out at section faces of trenches already dug. Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Galway County Council redesigned the The licensee, Declan Moore, and up to proposed development in order to avoid eight assistants carried out the work the known burials. between 14 and 27 August 2002. The work During construction works associated with was undertaken by Moore Archaeological & the road in August 2002, a number of Environmental Services Ltd. (MOORE) on burial cuts and inhumations were exposed behalf of the client, Galway County to the west of the area where the main Council, at the site of road improvement concentration of skeletal remains had works. been observed during earlier testing. The subject site lies between St Brigid’s Following discussion with Dúchas, and Hospital, formerly the Ballinasloe and given the advanced stage of construction District Lunatic Asylum, and the ruined works, full excavation of a strip at the east Creagh Church on the eastern side of the side of the road was undertaken. Athleague road, in an area that was The work was carried out in order to formerly part of the hospital grounds. establish the extent of the remains, to During initial groundworks in 2001, human remove all remains directly affected by skeletal remains were uncovered and as a construction and to carry out scientific result, an archaeological desktop analysis on the remains excavated. assessment and a programme of archaeological testing was carried out by Twelve skeletons in varying states of MOORE. A total of 71 grave cuts were preservation were excavated and observed and a further 21 possible recorded.
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1. SCOPE OF WORKS
1.1. Introduction
This report describes the findings from archaeological excavation carried out at Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, County Galway. The author and up to eight assistants carried out the work between 14 and 27 August 2002. The work was undertaken by Moore Archaeological & Environmental Services Ltd. (MOORE) on behalf of the client, Galway County Council, at the site of road improvement works at the subject site. Specialist reports are presented in Volume 2.
Twelve skeletons in varying states of preservation were excavated and recorded at the eastern side of the development site (Illustration 2).
Derry
Belfast
Sligo
Ballinasloe Galway Dublin
Kilkenny Limerick
Waterford
Cork
Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co, Galway 06.01.2003
Illustration 1 Project Location
MOORE Ltd. page 1 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
1.2. Purpose of the Project
The proposed development entails improvement of the junction between the R357 Ballinasloe–Athleague road and the N6, Galway to Dublin road. The site lies within the grounds of St Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe, formerly the Ballinasloe and District Lunatic Asylum.
Bu now e ay n ilw Ra
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Ballinasloe Creagh Junction
N6
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Ri ve r Su ck G r a n d C a n a l Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 06.01.03
Illustration 2 Project location
During associated groundworks carried out by Galway County Council in early October 2001, human skeletal remains were unearthed in a lawned area at the south-eastern corner of the hospital grounds. An archaeological assessment and archaeological test trenching was undertaken by Moore Ltd. Substantial archaeological deposits in the form of primarily east/west aligned burial cuts were observed in the south-east of the subject site.
It was recommended that the burial site be preserved in situ and that no building work proceed in its immediate vicinity. It was further recommended and agreed with Dúchas, the Heritage Service, that any development work carried out in the remainder of the subject site be monitored by an archaeologist under licence with provision for full excavation should further archaeological material be uncovered.
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As a result of the assessment, the road was redesigned and moved further west in order to preserve the known burials in situ. No burial cuts had been observed during testing at the western side of the development site.
During construction works associated with the road carried out in August 2002, several burial cuts and inhumations were exposed to the west of the area where the main concentration of skeletal remains had been observed during earlier testing. Following discussion with Dúchas, and given the advanced stage of construction works, full excavation of a strip at the east side of the road was undertaken.
1.3. Archaeological Excavation
Archaeological excavation has been described as being carried out in order to ‘mitigate the impact of development on archaeological deposits, features and objects through scientific recording … resulting in preservation by record’ (DAHGI 1999, Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation. Govt. Publications, Dublin) and involves ‘the scientific removal and recording of all archaeological features, deposits and objects to the level of geological strata or the base level of any given development. Full archaeological excavation is recommended where initial investigation has uncovered evidence of archaeologically significant material or structures and where avoidance of the site is not possible’, (DAHGI, 1999).
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2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT
2.1. Description of the site
Ballinasloe is situated on both banks of the River Suck, a tributary of the Shannon that rises from Lough O’Flynn to the east of Ballyhaunis on the border of Mayo and Galway and joins the Shannon at Shannonbridge, 12 km to the south-west. The Suck is a substantial river, meandering through a wide flood plain. At Ballinasloe the river divides into two channels, providing a suitable fording point probably used from the prehistoric period onwards. The town and the landscape around it lies at c. 50 m OD. It is relatively flat country with substantial bog, particularly close to the river where the land is extensively drained.
St Brigid’s Hospital is situated on the eastern side of the river, some 500 m east of the eastern bridge on the main Dublin Road. The hospital building is a protected structure under the Local Government (planning and development) Acts 1963- Plate 1. Looking north-east across the subject site 2000. From the river, the ground rises gently towards the hospital reaching a peak of 50 m OD at the site of Creagh Church, just east of the hospital. The hospital is on the north side of the road. The subject site is within the former grounds of the hospital and is a grassed area bound to the east and south by a stone wall, constructed of coarse blocks of roughly shaped limestone. There are several trees in this area including two large mature beeches. Although there is little historical evidence concerning the burial ground discovered at the south east corner of the hospital curtilage, a map held by the hospital authorities (Illus.’ 12 and 13) shows an area marked ad ‘old burial ground’.
The purpose of the new road is to allow traffic to pass between the Dublin Road and the Athleague road without meeting the traffic lights at the Creagh Junction where there is often heavy congestion. The road leaves the Dublin Road some 150 m east of the main hospital entrance to join the Athleague Road slightly north of the entrance to Ballinasloe cemetery. At the time of excavation the roadline had been excavated to a depth of between approximately 1 m and 2.5 m, depending on the make up of the ground.
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2.2. Site Layout/Locational details
Prior to the construction of the road, the site was accessed from a gate on the Athleague Road, almost opposite the entrance to the Ballinasloe Cemetery.
County Galway Parish Ballinasloe Townland Townparks NGR 18660/23090 Height 51m
Table 1: Locational details
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3. DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
3.1. Solid Geology
Similarly to most of the central regions of Ireland the area around Ballinasloe was subjected to ice movements from both east and west. Midlandian ice sheets occupied much of the area. The base rock of Carboniferous limestone is overlain by patterns of glacial till and fluvioglacial gravels and sands which, in the valley of the Suck, have been eroded and redeposited by the more recent fluvial action of streams and rivers (GSI, 1980. National Soil Survey).
3.2. Soil Type
Ballinasloe is situated in a landscape of Kame topography, with the soil in the area generally made up of grey-brown podzolic and shallow brown earth soils. It is in the low lying moraine belt of central Ireland, characterised by gently rolling country with bogs and frequent glacial deposits, in particular eskers. These are winding ridges of sorted fluvio-glacial material, often used in the late prehistoric and early historic periods as highways, affording both well-drained routes and vantage points.
3.3. Landscape
The landscape around the area is characterised by small pasture fields defined by hedges and occasionally drystone walls.
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4. ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
4.1. Archaeological background
4.1.1. Archaeological testing
Following recommendations by Mr. Jerry O’sullivan (NRA Project Archaeologist) on behalf of the client archaeological testing was carried out by MOORE between the 26th November and 7th of December 2001. The burials recorded appeared to be confined to the southeastern corner of the subject site, an area which measures 680 sq m. Within the test trenches excavated in this area, a total of 77 grave cuts and possible grave cuts were observed. A further 5 possible inhumations were evident in the section faces of trenches 13 – 15 (illus 14). Based on the evidence of testing, it was suggested that a possible multi-period burial site/graveyard, possibly associated with nearby Creagh church and with later use associated with St. Brigid’s Hospital, was located at the south west of the subject site.
4.1.2. Prehistoric Period
The archaeological record attests that the region was occupied by the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods (c. 4000-1500 BC), with the presence of burial monuments or megaliths. There are over 1500 megalithic tombs throughout the country. They indicate the presence of early farming communities in the region. Bronze Age cairns, cist and pit graves indicate a relatively substantial population during the late third and second millennia BC. Other monuments such as barrows, standing stones and fulachta fiadh (mounds of burnt stone thought to have been used as cooking spots or bathing sites) attest to continued settlement throughout the county in the prehistoric period. No prehistoric monuments are recorded in the immediate vicinity of the subject site.
4.1.3. Early Medieval Period
The occupation of the general area of Townparks , Creagh, Kilgarve and Portnick is well attested by the presence of a large number of ringforts and unclassified earthworks of possible Early Medieval provenance. It is estimated that 45,000 ringforts dot the Irish landscape and they are the only domestic monument that survives in significant numbers (Stout 1997, 53). They comprise an enclosed, sometimes raised area, surrounded by a bank and ditch with one or more entrances. In area with plentiful stone, the bank was often of rough stone construction generally referred to as a cashel while elsewhere, earthen banks were used and these are known as raths. Although a span stretching from the late prehistoric period has been suggested, datable evidence suggests that the vast majority were built in the second half of the first millennium AD. The main concentration of ringforts in the area is found in an arc running from Roscommon town through Ballinasloe and extending into south
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Mayo. This would seem to indicate widespread occupation of the area around Ballinasloe in the centuries preceding the arrival of the Anglo-Normans.
A roughly semicircular arc of ringforts and unclassified enclosures is formed by those at Ashford, Atticora townland, Creagh, Kilgarve and Portnick. A circular enclosure at Ashford, near the northern limits of Ballinasloe, although poorly preserved, forms the most north- westerly monument of this arc. In Creagh townland, some kilometres to the north of the subject site, a C-shaped earthwork is sited at the top of a low ridge. No visible traces remain. At Atticorra, a circular rath is visible. In Kilgarve townland, on the eastern outskirts of the town, a subcircular enclosure is located in undulating farmland. In Portnick, a univallate ringfort is located on an east-facing slope in grassland overlooking a lake to the south. It is well preserved and defined by a stone faced bank, with a possible entrance at the southeast.
The existence of a mobile and wealthy pre- Anglo-Norman population is further attested by stray finds in the surrounding area, including a Late Bronze Age dirk and part of a leaf-shaped bronze spearhead, both found in the river Suck in the 1880’s.
4.2. Historical Background
4.2.1. The growth of the town in Ireland
The concept of the town in Ireland as a historical resource has often been overlooked in the study of Irish history (Simms 1998, 9). Towns have been seen as colonial elements imposed on a rural society of dispersed settlement patterns and much historical research has concentrated on the town as a legal entity rather than as a settlement. The Roman model which took urban settlements into much of north-west Europe did not directly affect Ireland and it is often supposed that the concept of the urban settlement was brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. However, nucleated settlements performing many urban functions existed in Ireland prior to the invasion in two main forms; Gaelic ecclesiastical sites and Viking sea-ports. Early Christian ecclesiastical sites functioned as central places within the landscape with far-reaching territorial connections. They were important in their roles as centres of education, the production of art and literature, keepers of wealth and places of sanctuary in times of unrest. From the ninth century some monastic settlements took on another urban function, as a place where markets were held. Some of the more advanced had paved streets, rows of houses and artisans’ quarters. These settlements represented the main cultural and economic centres in Ireland until repeated invasions by the Vikings began to disrupt the country.
From the late ninth century the Vikings began to establish coastal trading places that, due to their long distance trading routes, became successful ports, which also benefited from their inland hinterlands. The emphasis of the Irish economy moved from inland to the coast and in
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particular to the south and east coasts. Examples of these ports include Dublin, Waterford, Cork and Limerick. The annals report the building of settlements known as ‘long phorts’. These have been described as rectangular or semi-circular enclosed settlements with an open side to a river or the sea, although the actual field evidence for such structures is almost non existent (Mitchell & Ryan 1991, 297). Documentary evidence attests the gradual adoption of Scandinavian practices, ship building, imports of silver and other long distance trade. Excavations in Dublin have revealed an enclosed city of well-built rectangular houses with pathways and luxury goods including amber, silk and walrus ivory.
The arrival of the Anglo-Normans brought a century of new town-building and the development of the Viking ports into towns with specific town law. The granting of a charter which gave the burgesses the privilege of self government symbolised the legal difference between town and country people and this was often emphasised by the building of a town wall from taxes levied within the town. Most Irish towns have their origin in this period although for the most part these are in the east and south-east of the country where Anglo Norman influence was strongest. Many of these towns were built on entirely green-field sites, often around a feudal castle such as at Athlone, where the castle still dominates the linear street pattern laid out around it. Monastic houses generally stayed outside the walls or outer curtailage, perhaps in an attempt to maintain some independence from the town or as a result of the need for a cheaper, spacious area.
The next big phase of town expansion came with English attempts to colonise Ireland through the plantations. New towns built around a manor or stronghold were built either in entirely new locations or next to existing towns. Although the new towns sometimes failed and were abandoned, such as at Trim in County Meath, plantations in Ulster and other parts of Munster generally survived. They are recognisable often by their pattern of laid out streets, often around a central square or diamond.
In the 18th century a further wave of building and improvement of existing settlements was undertaken by landlords set on improving their local areas. Nearby towns or villages were seen to reflect the prestige of the local estate or demesne and landlords often took a personal interest in the appearance and layout of their buildings (O’Dwyer 1991, 121). There are an estimated 750 towns in Ireland that were built or substantially altered during this phase of activity.
A further 19th -century phase of urban development came with the building of the rail network. New towns grew up not only to service the rail network but, as a result of the new mobility, resort towns for the wealthy as for example, Dalkey to the south of Dublin.
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4.2.2. The town of Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe in its modern form is essentially an estate town created in the 18th Century (see below). A settlement had however existed before this, built around two main elements, an Early Christian centre and a site of strategic importance. The modern parish of Ballinasloe is formed of two medieval parishes, Kilcloony (Cill Cluaine, the church of the meadow) and Creagh (Críoch or boundary) divided by the River Suck.
4.2.3. Ecclesiastical History
The first historical figure mentioned in relation to Kilcloony is St Grellan in The Story of St Grellan, a 14th-Century manuscript copied from an earlier source (Galway Reader 1950). In this, St Grellan, the patron saint of the Hy Many, a tribe of Connaught, is consecrated as a priest by St Patrick who arrives in Connaught for this purpose. Both Grellan and Patrick and his clergy stay with the king of Connaught, Duach Gallach. During the night the king’s wife has a stillborn child, which Grellan resurrects by incising three crosses on the child’s body. In return he is given the land to found two churches. The first is at the site of the miracle and the second, Kilcloony. The site attributed as the early house of St Grellan is marked by a later ruin on the west side of the town near the Mountbellew Road. St Grellan’s foundation seems to have been run as an independent institution until the 12th century when it became the property of the bishops of Clonfert.
Some 5 km south of the Parish of Kilcloony are the ruins of the Augustinian Priory of St Mary, Clontuskert O’Many. The ruin survives now as a well-preserved church with a cloister and domestic ranges. It is well known for a highly decorated 15th-Century doorway in the west gable. At the north-east corner the transept overlies a rectangular structure interpreted as a 15th-Century chapel or even an Early Christian church (Alcock et al 1999, 289). Before the 12th-Century it had been a monastic institution, reputedly founded in the 8th-Century by Baetán of Clontuskert whose death is recorded in 805 (Egan 1960, 14).
Further ecclesiastical establishments in the Kilcloony-Creagh area had their roots in the Early Christian period. A little to the north-west of Ballinasloe on the eastern bank of the river Suck is a small ruin enclosed by an earthwork (see description of ringfort at section 3.1.3 above). This is Teampall Raoileann, founded by Raoiriú, later Raioleann, who is recorded as one of the seven saints sprung from Mal, just after the time of St Patrick. With the increasing power of large monastic institutions in the sixth century, Teampall Raoileann was given to Clonmacnois by Cairbre Crom, chief of the Hy Many. Egan records that the foundations of a later medieval church survive, although nothing is visible today. Clonmacnois also held lands in the west of the parish of Kilcloony, in the present townland of Grange. This placename refers to a monastic farm. There is an enclosure there known as a children's grave yard.
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Other early institutions in the area include Kilbegly, an old church ruin and cemetery in the part of Moore Parish lying between two separated parts of Creagh Parish. To the south-east of Ballinasloe on the western bank of the River Suck there is a ruin known as The Teampoilín (Egan 1960, 12). This survives as the ruins of a medieval church, thought by Egan to have been a cell of Clontuskert Abbey, although later researchers have cast doubt on this (Alcock et al 1999, 127). There is a tradition of a Togher that leads from here to Clontuskert Abbey. A togher was uncovered to the north-east of Clontuskert Abbey during Land Commission operations in 1946 (Alcock et al 1999, 127). It ran in a north-south direction for at least 1.5 km and consisted of a double row of parallel oak logs in a bed of brushwood on a layer of gravel. These were joined at each end by vertical pointed hazel stakes. Only a slight grassed- over ridge marks the line now.
Another ruined church stands at Creagh Junction, the staggered crossroads of the N6 and the Athleague/Pollboy roads opposite the subject site. Apart from the western gable, all the walls still stand. In the south wall there are three windows and a rectangular doorway, while in the north wall there is only one window at the eastern end. The church stands on an irregular mound surrounded by retaining walls to the north, west and south. Egan (1960, 26) records this as the remains of the Protestant church no older than the 18th century but suggests that this is the site of the medieval parish church of Creagh. He also notes that ‘Catholics and Protestants have been buried there indiscriminately over the centuries’. Lewis, in his Topographical Dictionary (1837, 432) also notes that the burial ground for Creagh parish is around the ruins of the parish church. Slightly to the north of this are the ruins of an 18th - century Mass House, in use until 1824. This was replaced by a further church slightly to the north-west which was itself abandoned in 1915.
Egan (1960) refers to several other ecclesiastical institutions in the Kilcloony-Creagh area and concludes his opening chapter on early Christianity in the area with ‘we can at least infer from the existence of so many ecclesiastical establishments, a highly developed church organisation in the Kilcloony-Creagh area and intense religious activity among the peoples of the river Suck, from the time of St Patrick to the twelfth century.’
4.2.4. The early history of Ballinasloe
Ballinasloe is named from Beal Atha na Sluaigheadh, ‘the ford mouth of the hostings’. The River Suck braids at this point and the divided channels are relatively shallow and fordable. The ford provided not only a crossing point into Leinster and Munster but also a weak point in the natural defences of Connaught between the province and the central plains of Ireland. Until the middle of the 19th century the Suck at this point defined the eastern boundary of Galway and Connaught. The Slighe Mór or great highway, probably built around 300 AD from Tara to Galway by Mal Art, either crossed here or at Pollboy to the south. The route through
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Ballinasloe was also an important highway in later periods across the country from Dublin and Athlone to Galway and was therefore of enormous strategic importance. Toirdhealbach O’Connor occupied a stronghold on the western bank probably built in 1124, sometimes recorded as Dunlo Castle. O’Keefe (2000, 27) notes that this is derived from Caistel Duin Leodha which contains both the elements Dun and Castel referring to a stronghold. He quotes the description given by Molyneaux in the early 18th century: ‘a Danesmount with a large trench around it: ‘tis almost so flat one might almost take it for a fort’ pointing out that this may be an example of a pre-Norman motte. The name Dunlo survives as the street name but the precise location of the castle is unknown.
The Normans built the castle and manor of Suicin (derived from Suca) on the opposite bank of the river although the castle ruin on the east bank today is likely to be that built in the 14th Century by Tadgh O’ Kelly, chief of the Hy Many, which probably replaced it. It was held by the Earl of Clanricarde in 1572 but taken over by the crown in 1579 and made the residence of the English Governor of Connaught, Sir Anthony Brabazon. Elizabethan forces built a bridge over the crossing at the same time, which may have replaced an earlier structure. The castle survives as a rectangular bawn wall, crenellated in places with a circular turret Illustration 4. Extract from William Petty’s in the south-eastern corner. A modern Atlas house with outhouses has been built in the interior. Known previously as Ivy Lodge, it is now used as a veterinary surgery.
4.2.5. Post-medieval Ballinasloe
In the 17th century another Brabazon, also Anthony Brabazon, held out against the Cromwellian Ireton; being a proponent of the Royalist cause. He was defeated and his lands, including the demesne of Garbally, some 3 km to the west of the town were granted to William Spenser, a Parliamentarian landowner from Cork. The Spenser family held the lands until they were sold to the Trench family in the early 17th Century. The Trench family, descendants of the Flemish Frederick de la Tranche, had a long association with the town and are attributed with the building and laying out of modern Ballinasloe (Killanin & Duigan 1962, 71). The main town was built to the west of the Suck to replace an earlier smaller settlement
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on the west side, which probably comprised a few houses around the castle. There is no inclusion of Ballinasloe or any settlement in the area on Speed’s 1610 Map of the Province of Connaught although it is shown clearly on William Petty’s Atlas of 1683. The modern town still displays many of the attributes of the laid out town with a wide market square, main streets and back streets joined by individual house plots with long narrow burgage plots.
The Trench family backed the Williamites at the Battle of Aughrim, which took place some 7 kilometres to the south-west (the Jacobite army under General St Ruth had passed through Ballinasloe some days earlier) and were rewarded with wealth and privilege. They remained in Garbally, acquiring land and patronising the town, providing public buildings, paving and other such improvements (O’Leary 2001). It was Frederick Trench who brought legal recognition to the most famous of the town’s attributes, the October livestock fair, still held annually. At its height in 1856 20,000 cattle and 99,685 sheep were offered for sale (Killanin & Duigan 1967). The fair is held on the Fair Green, south of Society Street.
Another member of the family, the Rev. Charles le Poer Trench, is attributed with giving the town a reputation among travellers for cleanliness in the early 19th century, describing the town as being ‘not outdone by Galway in either filth or a vicious police; the doors of the houses were almost inaccessible through dunghills as high as the eaves of the houses, and an uncontrolled ingress given to all kinds of vagabonds, male and female’, (Galway Reader 1950). Le Poer Trench instituted a police force, compelled all the alehouses to close early and had all the vagabonds and beggars put into Bridewell. The footpaths were gravelled and posts fixed to keep carriages off them.
By the end of the 18th century Ballinasloe was growing and prospering as a market centre (Foster 1988, 203) but two transport improvements in the 19th century were to bring it closer to the new industrial market. The Grand Canal was completed in 1828 and its terminal was at Ballinasloe. From here barges could reach Dublin in under three days. A limestone quarry which had operated on a relatively small scale through the 18th century expanded and was to supply good quality facing stone nationwide (Mac Lochlainn 1971, 43). Many of the buildings in the main street date from this period. Street lighting was introduced in 1841 and the town hall built in 1846. The canal was purchased by the Midland and Great Western Railway in 1845. It declined in importance after it was transferred to CIE in 1950 and finally went out of use in 1961. In recent times a new marina has been constructed.
A second major event was the coming of the railway in 1851. Ballinasloe is on the main line from Dublin to Galway and brought with it considerable trade and industry. The official opening was not, however, a success. The first train to arrive comprised just one engine and a carriage containing the directors and engineers of the company. Just outside the town it got stuck and they were forced to get out and walk the last mile and a half through a swamp.
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Despite the thriving economy throughout this period, there was considerable poverty in Ballinasloe. The workhouse was opened in 1841 to house 400 people but, as was generally the case, held many times that number at the height of The famine of the 1840s. The writer WH Thackeray described the town as having more vagrants than anywhere else in Ireland, hideously filthy with nothing to recommend it except the Lunatic Asylum, which was handsome and stately.
4.2.6. The Public Asylum
Legislation for the mandatory provision of public asylums was adopted in Ireland with an Act of 1817. In 1804 a House of Commons select committee had recommended the provision of four provincial asylums in Ireland including one in Dublin, each to have 250 beds (O’Dwyer 1995, 10). Such legislation was the first of its kind and was followed by France and Switzerland only in 1838 and England in 1845. In his excellent study on the development of the public asylum in Ireland Reuber (1998, 208) describes the adoption of the ‘panoptic’ design which was used at Ballinasloe. The following information is based on that study.
The first public institution to be built solely for the reception of lunatics was the Richmond Asylum in Dublin. It was built between 1810-15 on the design of Francis Johnston, the architect to the Board of Works from Armagh. The design, which was quadrangular, enclosed a courtyard, proved unsatisfactory, penitential and unsuitable for expansion, and new ways were explored for the betterment of hospital architecture.
The 1817 legislation resulted in the construction of nine institutions and the extension of the Richmond Asylum. Design was again provided by Johnston and his assistant, Murray. Their new plans were influenced by the ‘panoptic’ prison concept, first advocated by the economist Jeremy Bentham, which they had used in their design of the Richmond Penitentiary built 1812-18. The principle behind this was to allow a governor, his family and turnkeys to occupy a central structure with radiating wings from which they could monitor and administrate life within the institute. The arrangement allowed the wings to be viewed from the centre while access was only possible from one wing to the other by passing through it. Plans were submitted for two sizes of institute (100 and 150 beds). Johnston’s designs were ultimately only adopted for the larger, Class I Asylums of which only two were built, the first in Limerick and the second in Ballinasloe. They were fronted in classical style with a two-storied centrepiece flanked by ward blocks and topped by a cupola.
4.2.7. The Connaught Asylum
St Brigid’s Mental Hospital was opened as the Connaught Asylum in 1833 with accommodation for 150 patients. The date is inscribed above the door in Roman numerals. The cost of
MOORE Ltd. page 14 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
building was £27,000. It remained the Ballinasloe Asylum until 1850 when Sligo Asylum was built to cater for the counties of Sligo and Leitrim and it was renamed Ballinasloe District Asylum to serve the counties of Galway and Roscommon only. New wings were added in 1871 and 1882 but by 1896 the number of patients had risen to 935 and a new detached block (beside the subject site) was begun. It was first occupied in 1901 when the number of patients had risen to 1004. In 1924 a former college, known as The Pines, was acquired and there were further new buildings in the 1930s when the Admission Hospital on the Athleague Road, St Joseph’s and St Enda’s were all added. The name of the hospital was changed to St Brigid’s in July 1960 (Mac Lochlainn 1971, 77) and is still in use. The Asylum is listed as a protected structure under the Local Government (planning and development) Acts 1963-2000.
Although there is little historical evidence concerning the burial ground discovered at the south east corner of the hospital curtilage, a map held by the hospital authorities (Illus. 13) shows an area marked as ‘old burial ground’. The map is undated but shows dateable evidence. The original layout of Johnston and Murray’s plan was a simple X pattern built in the panoptic design, as described above; however, the map shows two additional wings on either side, one shaded and one outlined. Mac Lochlainn (1971, 76) records that a wing was added to the men’s side of the hospital in 1871 and another to the women’s side in 1882. As the map seems to show one wing finished and one in the process of being built this dates the map to some time in the 1880s. The burial ground is marked ‘old burial ground’ which suggests that it had gone out of use by this time. Illustration 11 shows the map overlaid onto a modern layout with test trenches shown. This is discussed in relation to the findings in more detail below.
Illustration 5. Front elevation of St Brigid’s Hospital, Ballinasloe (from O’Dwyer 1995)
MOORE Ltd. page 15 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
5. BASELINE DATA
5.1. Record of Monuments and Places
The RMP is a database recording all archaeological sites in Ireland known to the National Monuments Service established under Section 12 of the 1994 National Monuments (Amendment) Act. It is based on Ordnance Survey 6” sheets, which indicate the location of each monument or place of archaeological interest. For each, a file contains further documentary and photographic data or information relating to an archaeological event such as a site visit, survey or excavation. These are housed(but not exclusively) in the National Monuments Services in Dublin. The record is constantly updated and focuses on monuments that pre-date 1700.
The following sites are in the vicinity of the subject site or otherwise discussed in the text:
Ref: GA088:006
Type: Church
NGR: 18657/23096
Inventory: 3356
Townland: Creagh
In a rectangular graveyard on the eastern outskirts of Ballinasloe Town. The standing remains are those of an ivy-mantled rectangular church in fair condition (E-W; Length 17.7m, Width 6.8m) in fair condition. Apart from the west gable, all the walls stand to full height. There is a rectangular doorway in the south wall towards the west end. In this wall there are three window openings, while in the north wall there is only one, towards the east end.
Ref: GA 088:008B
Type: Chapel
NGR: 18658/23123
Inventory: 3357
Townland: Creagh
This is located north of the above and is also the site of an early 18th century ‘mass house’ which was in use until 1824 when it was replaced by another church (see below). Although no visible surface trace remains, Egan (1960) describes it as rectangular in plan ‘the walls
MOORE Ltd. page 16 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
scarcely higher than a cabin’. The doorway was in the west end of the south wall. A holy water font originally located here is now in the later church.
Ref: GA 008:008C
Type: Church
NGR: 18657/23213
Inventory: 3358
Townland: Creagh
Immediately north-west of the above. Built in 1824 to replace the earlier chapel and itself abandoned in 1914. The visible remains consist of the lower courses of the walls of a rectangular building. As Egan was able to provide a full description of the church, it must have been deliberately levelled. Surviving ruins are of a doorway in the west wall, beside which is the holy water font from the mass house (above).
Ref: GA 074:004
Type: Castle
NGR: 18625/23281
Inventory: 3941
Townland: Creagh
Creagh Castle is located on the northern limits of Ballinasloe. It survives only as a sub-circular raised area(102 m N/S, 88 m E/W) cut at north and south by a road. Occupied in the 16th century by Séan na Maighe O’ Kelly (Egan 1960).
Ref: GA088:040a
Type: Castle
NGR: 18588/23109
MOORE Ltd. page 17 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Inventory: 3988
Townland: Townparks
Castle placed strategically on the eastern bank of the River Suck, commanding an ancient crossing (GA088:047). The present ruins, dating from medieval times, probably stand on or close to the castle built by Turlough O’Connor in 1124 and the castle of ‘Suicin’ built by the Anglo Normans in 1245. Egan (1960) states that the present castle was built by Tadhg O’Kelly in the 14th Century. In 1572 it was held by the Earl of Clanricarde, but in 1579 it was taken over by the Crown. What survives is a rectangular, crenellated bawn wall in fair condition with a wall walk and turret at the south-east corner. A modern house and associated outhouses have been built in the interior and as a result, no surface trace of the castle survives. The remains of an arched gateway in the centre of the east wall may mark the original bawn entrance. A keystone dated 1597, inscribed with the name ‘Anthony Braklon’ and now lying to the east of the house, was originally above the door.
Ref: GA 088:047
Type: Bridge
NGR: 18574/23106
Inventory: 4095
Townland: Townparks (Moyncarn By)
Spanning the River Suck at Ballinasloe, this is the easternmost of three bridges that carry the N6 Galway to Dublin road across the channels of the meandering channels of the river. From its location close to the castle (above) this is likely to be the ancient fording place from which Ballinasloe partly takes its name. The earliest reference to a bridge here occurs in 1579 when it is recorded that ‘a bridge had lately been made at Ballinasloe over the River Suck at our own [the government’s] charges; so the castle there shall be continued in our hands, being the common passage into Galloway’. This bridge still survives, albeit incorporated into the modern road bridge.
Ref: GA074:006
Type: Ringfort/rath/cashel
MOORE Ltd. page 18 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
NGR: 18688/23182
Inventory: 2140
Townland: Parkmore
Poorly preserved univallate ringfort in level grassland, defined by a tree-lined bank from south, through west to north. No surface trace survives elsewhere. A gap at the south-west may be original.
Ref: GA088:017
Type: Enclosure
NGR: 18718/23054
Inventory: 1149
Townland: Creagh
Large enclosure in undulating farmland on the outskirts of Ballinasloe. A subcircular enclosure (ENE/WSW 80.5 m, SSE/NNW 78.3 m) in fair condition, defined by a degraded bank/scarp and a wide external fosse. The bank is visible from WSW through north to ESE. From ESE to south, a straight field boundary appears to have been built on the line of its inner face.
Ref: GA 088:027
Type: Ringfort
NGR: 18718/23011
Inventory: 2156
Townland: Portnick
Univallate ringfort in level grassland 300 m north of the river Suck. Poorly preserved subcircular rath (E/W c. 23 m, N/S c. 20 m) defined by a bank and external fosse. A number of field boundaries cut the enclosing elements.
MOORE Ltd. page 19 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Ref: GA 088:009
Type: Ringfort
NGR: 18687/23144
Inventory: 2904
Townland: Creagh
Creagh: An unclassified earthwork on flat farmland near the north east limits of Ballinasloe. Marked on 1st edition of OS map as a ‘C’ shaped earthwork. No visible surface trace survives.
Ref: GA 088:020a
Type: Church
NGR: 18692/22970
Inventory: 3460
Townland: Pollboy
In marshy grassland close to the SE limits of Ballinasloe town, the church now stands on the east bank of the Grand Canal. Known locally as ‘The Teampoilin’ (Egan 1960) and said to have been a cell of Clontuskert Abbey although this is doubted by some researchers. The standing remains comprise a much overgrown medieval church (E/W 16.1 m, N/S 6.6 m) in fair condition. While a large section of the north wall has been replaced by a concrete one, the rest of the walls appear to stand to their original height. They are built on a plinth of large stones with a marked base-batter. Egan noted the presence of corbel stones. The original doorway is situated toward the west end of the south wall. There is no indication of any graveyard or enclosing wall but the church is delimited by a scarp running from south, through west to north.
Ref: GA 088 :020b
Type: Children’s Grave Yard
NGR: 1869122970
MOORE Ltd. page 20 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Inventory: 3830
Townland: Pollboy
Egan (1960) discussing the above church notes that it is not enclosed by a churchyard and only unbaptised children are buried here. The visible remains comprise very poorly preserved limestone blocks indicating graves orientated E-W. There is an inscribed slab, dedicated to an infant and bearing the date 1828 under the south window of the church.
Ref: GA088: 010
Type Canal
NGR 18685/22970
The major route of the Grand Canal was built between 1756 and 1803, linking the east coast and Dublin to the inland waterways, including the Shannon. It was used principally for the transport of grain, coal and turf. In 1824 work began on a branch to connect it with Ballinasloe, its most western terminus which was completed in 1828. The advent of fast-fly boats in 1834 made it a viable passenger route but this was short lived as the railway network expanded. The canal company was merged with Coras Iompair Eireann (the National Transport Authority) in 1950 and the Ballinasloe, Mount Melllick and Kilbeggan branches were closed to navigation in 1961.
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Subject site
Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Ref: 01E1180 06.01.2003
Illustration 6. Extract from Galway RMP sheet no 88
MOORE Ltd. page 22 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
5.2. The National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files
The discovery of artefacts can be an important indicator of past levels of activity in an area and therefore a useful guide to the archaeological potential of a site. The National Museum in Dublin houses a national archive of antiquities cataloguing artefacts which were found and reported between 1928 and 1995. They are catalogued by year and accession number.
The following artefacts were found in the vicinity of Ballinasloe.
Townland: Pollboy
Parish: Kilcloony
Barony: Clonmacnowen
County: Galway
1958: 14 Polished stone axehead found in the river Suck by Father Egan
Townland: Pollboy
Parish: Kilascobe
Barony: Tiaquin
County: Galway
1961: - Bog butter found in vicinity of Ballinasloe. Not in a container.
The following were found in unrecorded places in the vicinity of Ballinasloe
1986:19 Part of leaf-shaped bronze spearhead: Late Dowris phase. Found during
drainage of the River Suck in the 1880s.
1986:16 Late Bronze Age Dirk 24cm long with notched butt and bun-shaped top, also
found during drainage of the River Suck in the 1880s.
1927:97 Gold ring. Found in the bog near Ballinasloe August 1843.
1925:22 Leather shoe, found in Kilcloony bog 1923.
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5.3. Previous Archaeological Fieldwork in the area
Townland: Creagh No archaeological significance. RMP: 088:006 Licence number: 99E0509 Licence holder: D. Murphy.
Monitoring of topsoil stripping was undertaken by Deirdre Murphy in 1999 (Bennett 2000, 98) next to Creagh church and graveyard (RMP 088:006) in advance of the construction of four semi-detached houses. Boulder clay was revealed to a depth of 300–400 mm over the entire area. Some modern pottery and glass fragments were recovered. However, no features of archaeological significance were recorded.
Townland: Creagh Archaeological testing. Licence number: 01E1180 Licence holder: D. Moore.
Archaeological test trenching of the subject site, undertaken by Declan Moore in 2001 has been described in section 3.1.1 above
5.4. Aerial Photographs
Aerial photographs are an invaluable resource in archaeology for the recognition of new sites and the contributing to the understanding of known sites. Features can be recognised from the air as earthworks in relief or as vegetation marks where a buried feature such as a wall or ditch affects the growth of the surrounding flora. The Geological Survey of Ireland, based in Dublin, holds a comprehensive archive of high level vertical photographs available for consultation by the public and researchers but may not be copied. Aerial images are also available from the Marine Institute of Ireland National Coastline Survey.
Aerial photograph Nb600, a high level vertical taken in the 1970s, shows Creagh Junction and St. Brigid’s Hospital. No undocumented archaeological features are recognisable in the area of the burials nor were there any recognisable signs of previous road alterations.
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5.5. Cartographic Evidence
The earliest detailed map of Ballinasloe appears as part of the route from Galway to Dublin on Taylor and Skinner’s Maps of the Roads of Ireland, published in 1778 but surveyed in 1777. Ballinasloe is shown largely west of the river Suck. Interestingly, the western branch is shown clearly as the major of the two channels, while today this is very much the lesser. At Creagh Junction, some settlement is shown and the church is marked. Illustration 7. Extract from Taylor and Skinners Road In the key to the map there are Atlas of 1777 different symbols for a ruined church and a church in use. Unfortunately the symbol marked at Creagh Junction does not seem to conform to either.
On the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map, surveyed in 1837, Ballinasloe is laid out as it is today but extends little beyond the present centre. The principal streets are Main Street, Dunlo Street, Soldier’s Row (on which there is a Barracks, Court House and a coach factory) and Bridge Street where there is a brewery on the river island. The town extends towards the canal terminus to the south. The four-year-old St Brigid’s Asylum is also shown but unlike today it is separated from the town by open fields. Griffith’s Valuation of 1856 values the town at a total of £4182 0s 10d. The map of the town is similar to the 1st edition OS map except that Soldier’s Row is now known as Society Street
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Illustration 8. Extract from 1837 1st edition Ordnance survey Map
MOORE Ltd. page 26 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION
6.1. Introduction
An area of approximately 7000 m2 had been acquired by Galway County Council prior to the works. The area investigated comprised a strip of approximately 300 m2, measuring 30 m north/south and 10 m east/west on the eastern side of the line of the road. During groundworks the line of the road was reduced in level and the area excavated was therefore a metre or more below the original ground surface, bounded to the east by a west-facing baulk. Furthermore, in preliminary investigations for the road, the ground was tested for suitability, and an area stretching from the centre of the site Plate 2. Looking north across the western row of graves northwards was reduced a maximum of another 500mm, producing a smaller east facing break in slope in the exposed subsoil along this stretch.
The area was cleaned by hand and a total of 26 grave cuts were identified in plan and recorded. These were generally east/west orientated rectilinear cuts. Those to the east projected from the baulk and could be seen in section. The grave cuts were in two distinct rows. To the west, a single row stretched the length of the site with 16 distinct cuts, while that to the east was visible only for the the southern half of the strip, beyond which the baulk jutted to the west presumably covering the rest of this row of graves. A large pit like feature (C9) was cut by and therefore earlier than two of the graves while to the west of this another pit was joined by a roughly constructed stone culvert (C66) running east-west between the graves.
MOORE Ltd. page 27 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
SK 6
C101
SK10
E15 E19 N34 N34
SK9
SK12
SK 11
E15 E19 N30 N30
Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services 2m 0 1m Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 6.01.2003
Illustration 9. Northern group of burials
Following consultation with Dúchas, the Heritage Service, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Roads Authority Project archaeologist, Mr Jerry O’Sullivan, it was concluded that the majority of the graves would not be affected by the proposed road, falling in the area of the verge and pathway and could be preserved in situ. Twelve burials to the west would be excavated and therefore preserved by record.
MOORE Ltd. page 28 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
SK5
SK 2 E18 N16
SK 1
SK 4
SK 3
SK 8
SK7
Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 0 1m 2m 06.01.2003
Illustration 10 Southern group of burials
MOORE Ltd. page 29 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
6.2. Methodology
A site procedure, modelled on the single context recording system used by the Museum of London Archaeological Service (MOLAS) and adapted from experience of a similar excavation also carried out by MOORE Ltd at Manorhamilton in County Leitrim (licence number: 01E0720) was adopted. Pro forma sheets for recording both burials and coffins were devised. These to facilitate fast, accurate data recording, whilst also providing for the possibility for recording further detail.
Inhumations were recorded using skeleton sheets, coffin sheets and context recording sheets. Each feature and skeleton was drawn to scale, photographed and OD levels taken. A sample of soil from the pelvic area was taken. Comprehensive plans and cross-sectional drawing were produced at a scale of 1:20. Digital camera equipment was used and each feature/inhumation recorded in three dimensions using a combination of scale drawings and surveying equipment.
6.3. Results of excavation
Individual illustrated sheets recording the twelve burials are given below. A complete osteoarchaeology report is presented in Volume 2. A report on stray human bone recovered from the site is also presented in Volume 2.
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Burial 1
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 1
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 16
Grave cut dimensions & description 750 mm x 2.1 m. A roughly rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a shallow concave base.
Grave fill number 17
Grave fill description A loose, mid-brown, sandy silt with occasional large and small rounded stones.
Burial Number & Description 1: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
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Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Male
Stature 160.9±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some distal hand and foot phalanges.
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Burial 2
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 2
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 2
Grave cut dimensions & description 750 mm x 2.3 m. A large rectangular cut, with fairly sharp corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base.
Grave fill number 3
Grave fill description A loose brown sandy silt with pockets of redeposited natural and small pebble sized stones.
Burial Number & Description 2: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
MOORE Ltd. page 33 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Male
Stature 175.6±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. Head slightly tilted towards north.
Bones present Skeleton complete except left patella, some carpals, distal hand phalanges and intermediate and distal foot phalanges. Ossified thyroid cartilage present
MOORE Ltd. page 34 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial 3
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 3
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 50
Grave cut dimensions & description 800 mm x 2.19 m. A rectangular cut, with sharp corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat, horizontal base.
Grave fill number 51
Grave fill description A loose, yellowish grey sandy silt mixed with brownish grey sandy silt. The fill has frequent inclusions of roots, small stones and occasional medium sized stone.
Burial Number & Description 3: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. Coffin is badly decomposed but some fragments of the coffin are still remaining.
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Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Female
Stature 147.4±3.5 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. The head is slightly tilted towards south.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals and intermediate and distal hand and foot phalanges. Ossified thyroid cartilage present.
Comments Green staining on anterior manubrium.
MOORE Ltd. page 36 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial 4
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 4
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 79
Grave cut dimensions & description 750 mm x 2.1 m. A rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base.
Grave fill number 78
Grave fill description A loose mixed sandy silty clay with occasional large cobble sized stones and frequent inclusions of gravel.
Burial Number & Description 4: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
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Preservation Good
Age Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Sex Male
Stature 169.1±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms parallel to body with the hands positioned under pelvis. Head is turned towards north.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals and distal hand phalanges and foot phalanges. 6 lumbar vertebrae and 13th right rib (lumbar) present.
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Burial 5
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 5
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 4
Grave cut dimensions & description 680 mm x 2.23 m. A rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with straight vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat horizontal base.
Grave fill number 5
Grave fill description A loose, brown friable sandy silt with pockets of a loose cream-coloured, sandy redeposited natural. Inclusions of small stones, roots and occasional medium sized stone.
MOORE Ltd. page 39 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial Number & Description 5: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The coffin is badly decomposed.
Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Female
Stature 156.3±3.5 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. Skull is facing north.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals, distal hand phalanges and intermediate and distal foot phalanges. Ossified thyroid cartilage and vascular tissue and 13th rib (lumbar) present.
MOORE Ltd. page 40 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial 6
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 6
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 80
Grave cut dimensions & description 800 mm x 2.15 m. A rectangular cut, with sharp corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base.
Grave fill number 81
Grave fill description A loose sandy silt with pockets of re-deposited natural. Inclusions of small stones and occasional medium sized stones.
Burial Number & Description 6: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The coffin is badly decomposed, only remnants survive..
MOORE Ltd. page 41 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Male
Stature 176.6±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Left arm and hand is parallel to body. Right arm is extending across pelvic area.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some intermediate and distal hand phalanges and intermediate foot phalanges. Ossified thyroid cartilage and ossified costal cartilage from left and right1st rib present.
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Burial 7
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 7
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 92
Grave cut dimensions & description 550 mm x 2.15 m. A rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical irregular sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a shallow concave base.
Grave fill number 93
Grave fill description A friable brown/grey silty sand with frequent inclusions of small grit and occasional large cobbles.
Burial Number & Description 7: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the
MOORE Ltd. page 43 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
coffin have decomposed.
Preservation Good
Age Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Sex Possible female
Stature 160.7±3.5 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. Head slightly tilted towards South/East.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals, distal hand and foot phalanges. 6 lumbar vertebrae present.
Comments Green staining on neck of 2nd right rib.
MOORE Ltd. page 44 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial 8
2 m
1 m
0 m
0 m
Skeleton number 8
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 95
Grave cut dimensions & description 600 mm X 2.20 m. A rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base.
Grave fill number 94
Grave fill description Friable mottled yellowish brown silty sand mixed with brownish grey sandy silt. Inclusions of frequent small grit.
Burial Number & Description 8: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
MOORE Ltd. page 45 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Preservation Good
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Male
Stature 172.2±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. Right hand is stretching over pelvis and femur.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals and intermediate and distal hand and foot phalanges. 6 lumbar vertebrae present.
MOORE Ltd. page 46 G04, Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway January 2003
Burial 9
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 9
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 40
Grave cut dimensions & description 510 mm x 1.58 m. A sub-rectangular cut that broadens from east (0.51m wide) to west (0.99m wide). There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base.
Grave fill number 41
Grave fill description A loose friable light-brown sandy clay with moderate amount of stones.
Burial Number & Description 9: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
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Preservation Good
Age Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Sex Female
Stature 158.4±3.5 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body.
Bones present Skeleton complete except some carpals, intermediate and distal hand phalanges and proximal, intermediate and distal foot phalanges.
Additional bones 1 mandibular molar and 1 mandibular premolar root with severe caries lesions.
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Burial 10
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 10
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 44
Grave cut dimensions & description 850 mm x 1.90 m. A rectangular cut, with slightly rounded corners. There are fairly sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and a flat base. Truncated by machine to east.
Grave fill number 45
Grave fill description A loose friable brown deposit mixed with pockets of re-deposited natural. Inclusions of medium sized stones.
Burial Number & Description 10: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the
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coffin have decomposed.
Preservation This skeleton is well preserved.
Age Mature Adult (45+ years)
Sex Male
Stature 170.1±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body. Head is slightly tilted towards north.
Bones present Skeleton complete except hyoid and some distal hand phalanges. Of the feet, only the right calcaneus and talus and left calcaneus, talus, navicular and metatarsal 2 and 3 are present. 13th right rib present (without evidence for articular surface on rib head or vertebral body).
Additional bones Left distal fibula fragment
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Burial 11
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 11
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 38
Grave cut dimensions & description 750 mm(inner width) x 2.2 m. The outer width was 1.4 m. A roughly rectangular grave cut that has cut through a land drain/sump consisting of fist size stones. It had a sharp break of slope at the top with vertical sides built up by larger stones. It was shallow.
Grave fill number 39
Grave fill description A loose friable dark-brown clayey sand with occasional fist size angular stones.
Burial Number & Description 11: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
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Preservation Poor
Age Mature Adult (45+ years).
Sex Possible female
Stature 156.1±3.5 m
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and left hand parallel to body. Right hand is placed across right femur.
Bones present Cranium, right clavicle and scapula, right and left arm and hand, left and right femur, left proximal tibia, atlas, axis, vertebral body and posterior arch fragments, manubrium, left and right ribs fragments including right 1st rib with ossified costal cartilage, os coxae fragments.
Comments Skeleton had been truncated by machine below the knee.
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Burial 12
2 m
1 m
0 m
Skeleton number 12
Grave type Simple
Grave cut number 46
Grave cut dimensions & description 600 mm x 2.1 m. A rectangular cut, with rounded corners. There are sharp breaks of slope at the top, with vertical sides leading to a sharp break of slope at the base and an irregular base.
Grave fill number 47
Grave fill description A loose silty sand with occasional small stones.
Burial Number & Description 12: This interment consists of a coffin placed in a rectangular shaft/burial cut. The walls of the coffin have decomposed.
Preservation Good
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Age Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Sex Male
Stature 160.7±2.9 cm
Orientation East/west
Skeletal position Supine
Skeletal attitude Extended. Arms and hands parallel to body.
Bones present Skeleton complete except left patella, some carpals, distal hand phalanges, tarsals and intermediate and distal foot phalanges.
Comments Small piece of ferrous metal adhering to anterior femoral neck of right femur. 9th right rib has green staining in area of angle.
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7. ANIMAL BONE ANALYSIS
A small sample, consisting of 113 bone fragments was recovered during the course of excavation at Creagh Junction. The dominant species were cattle, sheep/goat and pig. These animals are all meat-producing animals, of which cattle were the most important. The preservation and condition of the bones varied and very few were complete. The anatomical parts and the cut marks present indicate that the bones represent food refuse. It is probable that they represent waste from the hospital. Wild animals, bird and fish do not seem to have played an important part in the diet. An animal bone report is presented in Volume 2.
8. HAIR SAMPLE AND INSECT ANALYSIS
One hair sample was recovered from the skull area of skeleton 2 during the excavation at Creagh Junction. The sample was preserved and placed in a plastic bag along with a small portion of the surrounding soil. On return to the laboratory the contents of the bags were transferred to a petri-dish and examined under a binocular microscope at x10, x20 and x40 magnification. The hair in each sample was very dry and brittle and appeared to be straw- yellow in colour. It is possible that this is an effect of post-mortem leaching or decay. There were a number, c. 9, part insect cases or abdominal exoskeletons measuring approximately 2mm each observed attached to the hair and in the sediment in the samples (plate 3).
Insects contribute greatly to the biodiversity of the biological communities of most Irish habitats and they occupy a wide variety of trophic niches (predators, parasites, filter feeders, grazers, scrapers and detrivores). They can be exceedingly abundant under favourable conditions and may be important in the diet of fish, waterfowl and in freshwater; aquatic invertebrates. The specimens recovered in hair samples taken at Creagh Junction are most likely the cases of larvae of the Order Diptera, i.e. the flies. This extremely diverse order of insects has numerous species, many associated with Ireland’s lakes, rivers and wetlands.
Given the age of the skeletal remains and the relatively stable condition of the cases, it is most likely that the insect cases are post-mortem. Little more can be deduced from the insect cases. Identification of most insect larvae requires the presence of certain features that are not present in the samples recovered.
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Plate 3. Fly larva cases found in hair sample taken from skeleton 2 at X10 magnification
9. TIMBER ANALYSIS
Little was found of the coffin wood, reflecting the generally dry conditions across the site. Few coffin parts were recovered. Six samples were recovered and forwarded to Dr Ingelise Stuijts, timber specialist, for examination. The samples were thin-sectioned with a razor blade (object altered under licence to Dúchas in accordance with the provisions of section 25 of the National Monuments Act, 1930).
The timbers were identified as spruce. The fragments were all from thin planks with some remains of iron nails. The pieces were sawn diagonally from fast grown wood. The timber was not of very high quality.
It is very likely that the samples examined came from managed woodland, considering their fast growth rate. Spruce was introduced into Ireland in the 1700s. The use of spruce as coffin material supports the interpretation of a post-medieval date for this part of the site. A timber report is presented in Volume 2.
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10. CONCLUSION
Although only twelve of the burials were fully excavated, it is clear from the plan of the cuts that the graves formed two regular north-south rows. Only one phase of burials was apparent. This carefully laid out graveyard concurs with the findings from test trenches opened in the south eastern corner of the grounds in December 2001 where several distinct rows were distinguished. In contrast, trenches opened at the very east, close to the present boundary, revealed cross cutting graves at different levels, implying that more than one phase was present. Illustration 11 shows the results of a profile survey across the hospital grounds, road and church and a postulated former level.
W Creagh Church
E
E W Creagh Church Conjectural Subject Site R357 original ground level
Moore Ltd Archaeological and Environmental Services Creagh Junction,Ballinasloe Ref: 01E1180 06.01.2003
Illustration 11. Profile of subject site and Creagh Church
It is clear that the present church ruin, which, according to Egan (1960,27) is no older than the 18th century, is built on a small rise or mound which itself is likely to be older still. It was suggested in the testing report that the Athleague road, which divides the hospital grounds and church, was a road improvement which cut the western edge of this mound, isolating a strip to the west of the road, which later became part of the hospital grounds. If medieval or post-medieval burials were known to exist at this corner of the hospital grounds, it would have been an obvious step to continue its use for burial and, over time, to continue to expand the graveyard to the west. The earliest known map showing the junction in detail is Taylor
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and Skinner’s Maps of the Roads of Ireland of 1777, which shows the layout as it is today. Such a road improvement would therefore have to be earlier than this.
Test trench 1(Illus. 12), the longest trench opened in the first phase of testing, ran the length of the site, approximately north/south for a distance of 80 m. This was located to the west of the two large trees, between the subject site covered by this report and the location of the grave cuts found during testing. No grave cuts were identified in this trench and it was assumed that the western limit of the burials had been reached, the trees perhaps marking the site of a former boundary. It is now suggested that this apparent gap in the burials may represent a former path or boundary within the graveyard.
Moore Ltd Map Overlay Archaeological and Environmental Services Scale 1:1000 Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Ref: 01E1180 06.01.2003 0 1020304050
Illustration 12. 1880s Hospital Map overlaid on site plan
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White glazed and decorated 19th or early 20th century ceramic was found in several of the fills, but there is little evidence to date the graves more accurately. If the above hypothesis concerning the former curtilage of Creagh Church is correct, it is reasonable to assume that the later phase of burials associated with the hospital, or Connaught Asylum as it was then, began where the burials already existed and worked west and north from this point. The burials excavated in this phase of work would therefore be amongst the latest on site. The 19th century map of the hospital and grounds, supplied by the hospital authorities (Illustration 13) shows an area marked as ‘old burial ground’ at the south eastern corner of the grounds. Illustration 12 shows this overlaid onto a layout of the test trenches. It is clear that this map shows only a part of the burial ground, as discovered recently, with the western limit shown at about the line of the trees. One possible explanation for this is that the map is inaccurate, only intended to give an approximation of the burial ground. Considering the general accuracy of the map, however, and the detail of the hospital itself, this is unlikely. Another possibility is that the graveyard had already expanded beyond its walls and these further burials are not marked or that the burials recently excavated are more recent than the map. The map is undated but as outlined in section 4.2.7 above is thought to have been drawn in the 1880s.
f r o m
R o s c o m m o n
Backgate
y
r
e
t
e
em
c
w w
e N
N ew D a y r oom ol d Burial Gr ound
to athlone
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Illustration 13. Reproduction of 1880s map of St Brigid's hospital.
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Despite the generally good bone preservation, little was found of the coffin wood, reflecting the generally dry conditions across the site. Nails were found in abundance but no fixtures, fittings, plates or handles were uncovered, all evidence pointing to simple Christian burials. The timbers were identified as spruce, sawn diagonally from fast grown wood. The use of spruce as coffin material supports the interpretation of a later date for this part of the site.
The analysis of the skeletons from Creagh Junction revealed the presence of a broad variety of pathologies. The majority of individuals survived into old age, probably even into their sixties or longer. This allowed for the development of advanced degenerative changes to the joints and severe dental disease. Analysis also indicates a certain level of physical activity for most individuals present (Fibiger, L., Pending, Report on human skeletal remains from Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway).
Skeleton M? M ?F F ? Height Age Number
Skeleton 1 160.9±2.9 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 2 175.6±2.9 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 3 147.4±3.5 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 4 169.1+2.9 cm Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Skeleton 5 156.3±3.5 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 6 176.6±2.9 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 7 160.7±3.5 cm Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Skeleton 8 172.2±2.9 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 9 158.4±3.5 cm Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Skeleton 10 170.1±2.9 cm Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 11 156.1±3.5 m Mature Adult (45+ years)
Skeleton 12 160.7±2.9 cm Old Middle Adult (36-45 years)
Table 2. Age, sex and height estimation (M= Male, F=Female, ?=Unsexed)
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A probable case of torticollis diagnosed on Skeleton 5 presents one of the visually most prominent pathologies present in the sample, and the continuously tilted head of the affected individual might have invited a certain amount of mockery or even insult.
As regards the identification of the skeletal remains as inmates of the asylum, the anthropological evidence does not discount this possibility. If those individuals present were indeed living in the asylum, their age profile would suggest that life expectancy was general high within the institution. The prevalence of dental pathologies suggests two things: poor dental hygiene and a sucrose-rich diet. No adult metabolic diseases indicative of nutritional deficiencies and only one case of enamel hypoplasia were diagnosed in the sample, indicating adequate dietary intake. Those who had lost most or all teeth during life must have been catered for with a special soft diet, taking into consideration their lack of ability to chew. Facial fractures presented by one of the skeletons indicates possible evidence for inter- personal conflict and violence, but this does not necessarily mean that the injuries were acquired during the stay in the asylum. Healed fractures cannot be assigned to a particular point during an individual’s lifetime.
In summary, the human skeletal remains from Creagh Junction indicate that although age- related changes and various diseases affected most individuals, their health status was such as to allow them to survive into old age. Although there is little evidence to date the graves with precision, it is reasonable to conclude that the excavated burials are associated with the Connaught Asylum and probably date from the mid 19th to early 20th centuries. The results of osteoanalysis demonstrate that even a small sample of skeletal remains can offer important information on demography, disease and diet.
It is also worth pointing out the advantages of early consultation with the consulting osteoarchaeologist and the value of employing an on-site specialist to oversee the excavation of the remains. The high level of skeletal preservation was as much a result of a favourable burial environment as of the careful manner in which the remains were excavated and processed.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Alcock, O., d’Hora, K., Gosling, P., (eds), 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II. North Galway. The Stationary Office, Dublin.
Egan, P. K., 1960 The Parish of Ballinasloe, its History from the Earliest Times to the Present Day. Clonmore and Reynolds, Dublin.
Foster R. F., 1988 Modern Ireland 1600 – 1972 Penguin, London.
Anon., 1950 A Ballinasloe Pot Pourri. Galway Reader, Galway.
Fibiger, L., Pending, Report on human skeletal remains from Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway.
Griffith, R. J., 1857 General Valuation of Rateable Property in Ireland. Union of Ballinasloe. Alex. Thom, Dublin.
Harbison, P., 1992 Guide to the National and Historic Monuments of Ireland. Gill & MacMillan, Dublin
Joyce, P.W., 1913. Irish Names of Places. Vol. III. Dublin.
Killannin & Duignan, M., 1962 The Shell Guide to Ireland. Edbury Press, London.
Lambrick, G. & Doyle, I.W., 2000 Review of Archaeological Assessment & Monitoring Procedures in Ireland. The Heritage Council of Ireland, Kilkenny.
Mac Lochlainn, T 1971 Ballinasloe Inniu agus Inne. The Story of a Community over the past 200 Years. Mac Lochlainn, Ballinasloe
Mitchell, F. & Ryan, M., 2001 Reading the Irish Landscape. Townhouse, Dublin
Murphy, D., 1999 Creagh, Ballinasloe in Excavations 1999 by Bennet, I. (Ed.). Wordwell, Dublin.
Nolan, W. & Simms, A., (Eds.), 1998 Irish Towns, A Guide to Sources. Geography Publications, Dublin.
O’Dwyer, F., 1995 Irish Hospital Architecture, a pictorial history. Gill and MacMillan, Dublin.
O’Dwyer, P. E. F., 1991 The Irish Landscape in Photographs and Maps. Gill and Macmillan, Dublin.
O’Keefe, T., 2000 Medieval Ireland, An Archaeology. Tempus Publishing, Stroud.
O’Sullivan, J., Hallissey, M. & J. Roberts, 2002 Human Remains in Irish Archaeology, Law, Science,Development & Mitigation and Ethics. Heritage Council, Kilkenny.
Reuber, M., 1995 Moral Management and the ‘Unseen Eye’: Public Lunatic Asylums in Ireland 1800-1845 in Malcolm, E. and Jones, G. (eds) Medicine, disease and the state of Ireland, 1650-1940. Penguin, Dublin.
Stout, M., 1997 The ringforts of Ireland. Four Courts Press, Dublin.
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OTHER REFERENCES CONSULTED
Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands, 1999 Policy and Guidelines on Archaeological Excavation. Government Publications, Dublin.
Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands, 1999 Frameworks and Principles for the protection of the Archaeological Heritage. Government Publications, Dublin.
Dept. of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands, 2001 New Initiatives for Procedures and Practise in Archaeological Licensing. Government Publications, Dublin.
EPA, 1999.Advise notes on current practice in the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements. EPA, Dublin.
Galway County Council, 1998 Architectural Survey and Assessment Best Practice Guide. Galway County Council, Galway.
Geological Survey of Ireland. Aerial photographs of County Galway
Heritage Council of Ireland, 2000 Archaeology and Development: Guidelines for Good Practise for Developers. The Heritage Council, Dublin.
National Monuments Acts 1930-1994
O Leary, J., 2001 The Lords of the Land.www.ballinasloe.com/history/lordsoftheland.htm
Register of Monuments & Places, County Galway. Dúchas, The Heritage Service.
Topographical files, County Galway. National Museum of Ireland.
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APPENDIX 1
Legislative background
The 1992 European Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage was ratified by Ireland in 1997. The convention provides the basic framework for policy on the protection of the archaeological heritage. In summary, the obligations on the state under the convention relate to
• providing statutory protection measures
• authorisation and supervision of archaeological activities
• measures for the physical protection of the archaeological heritage
• providing consultation between archaeologists and planners
• providing financial support for research or rescue archaeology
• facilitating the study of archaeological discoveries by making or bringing up to date maps, surveys and inventories of archaeological sites
• facilitating national and international exchanges of elements of the archaeological heritage for scientific purposes
• educating the public in relation to the value of and threat to the archaeological heritage
• preventing the illicit circulation of elements of the archaeological heritage
• providing for the exchange of information and experts on the archaeological heritage between states party to the convention.
Irish Legislation
Irish legislation for the protection of archaeological heritage is based on the National Monuments Acts 1930-1994. This is in accordance with the Valletta Convention (as above). The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands has a specific role in relation to the protection of the archaeological heritage through powers provided by these acts and the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. The overall state archaeological service is provided by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (DAHGI) and delivered through Dúchas, the Heritage Service and the National Museum of Ireland (Irish Antiquities Division) on behalf of the minister.
The National Monuments Acts secure the archaeological heritage in several key areas
The Protection of Archaeological Monuments and Areas
Section 2 of the 1930 Act (as amended) provides that ‘monument’ includes any artificial building or structure, cave, stone or any natural object that has been altered or moved into purposefully put in position, any prehistoric tomb, grave or burial or any ritual, industrial or habitation site or any traces of the above. Dúchas advises the Minister on the protection of archaeological monuments and places. There are a number of mechanisms which can be applied to secure the protection of archaeological monuments and areas.
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• The Record of Monuments and Places – a list and maps of monuments and relevant places in each county maintained and updated by Dúchas. Monuments entered into it are referred to as Recorded Monuments. Owners or occupiers of Recorded Monuments are required to give two months notice to the Minister and obtain consent before carrying out any works in relation to the monument.
• The Register of Historic Monuments – a list of all historic monuments known to the Minister. Owners or occupiers must not, other than with consent, alter, deface, demolish or in any manner interfere with a historic monument entered in the register.
• Preservation Orders and Temporary Preservation Orders. – Where it appears to the minister that a monument, considered to be a national monument, is in danger or is actually being destroyed or falling into decay the minister may by preservation order or temporary preservation order, undertake the preservation of the monument. A temporary preservation order will remain in force for six months and then expire.
The Protection of Archaeological objects
Section 2 of the 1930 Act (amended) defines an archaeological object as (in summary) any chattel in a manufactured or partly manufactured state or an unmanufactured state but with an archaeological or historical association. This includes ancient human, animal or plant remains. The National Museum of Ireland advises the Minister on the protection of archaeological objects. The National Monuments Acts state the following regarding the archaeological objects. Archaeological objects must not be altered by any person unless issued with a licence to do so by the Minister. This includes cleaning, restoring, sampling, cutting or drilling. No archaeological object found after 1930 may be purchased or otherwise acquired or sold unless designated by the director of the Museum. It is unlawful to export or attempt to export archaeological objects other than with an export licence.
The Control of Archaeological Excavation
It is unlawful for any person to dig or excavate in or under any land for the purpose of searching for archaeological objects or particular structure or thing of archaeological interest known or believed to be under such land unless issued with, or in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister. Dúchas, in consultation with the National Museum, advises the Minister on the issuing of licences. In practice, for a person to be issued with a licence to excavate, he or she will have to be considered eligible to hold one. This is generally determined by interview.
The Control of Detection Devices
Section 2 of the 1987 Act defines a detecting device as a device designed or adapted for detecting or locating any metal or mineral on the ground and under water. This does not include a camera. It is unlawful to use or be in possession of such a device
• At the site of a monument subject to a preservation order
• A monument in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister
• A monument entered in the Record of Monuments and Places
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• A monument entered in the Register of Historic Monuments
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APPENDIX 2: IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE
Procedures relating to the carrying out of Cultural Heritage section of EISs.
Archaeological assessment has been described as “the overall process of assessing the impact of a development” (DAHGI, 1999). The principle aim of assessment is to anticipate and avoid impacts on the archaeological resource. Archaeological assessment may be required as part of the planning process in response to developments which may be located in the vicinity of archaeological monuments, which are extensive in terms of area or length, which are likely to have a substantial impact on present or former wetlands, unenclosed land, rivers, lakes, the inter-tidal zone or the sea-bed (The Heritage Council. 2000).
Impact Assessment and Archaeology.
Archaeological monuments can comprise identifiable above ground features or subterranean traces of previous activity. These monuments can be affected in the course of development in a number of ways. Potential impacts can be identified through the assessment procedure by carrying out a paper study/historical research. The documentary research can then be combined with existing baseline data, field assessment and non-intrusive methods to provide a pre-development risk appraisal study for developers. Further investigation or mitigation measures may subsequently be recommended prior to and during the course of construction work. Sources used by archaeologists show considerable variation (The Heritage Council, 2000). A number of primary baseline data sources and procedures must be considered. These are listed below.
1. The Register of Monuments and Places. The RMP is a database recording all archaeological sites in Ireland known to the National Monuments Service. It is based on the Sites and Monuments Record of each County. The record comprises Ordnance Survey 6” sheets which indicate the location of each monument or place of archaeological interest and files of further documentary and photographic data or information relating to an archaeological event such as a site visit, survey or excavation. These are housed in the National Monuments Services in Dublin. The record is constantly updated and principally focuses on monuments that pre-date 1700.
2. The National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files. The National Museum in Dublin houses an archive of antiquities cataloguing artifacts which were found and reported between 1928 and 1995. Artifacts can be used as a pointer to the levels of activity in an area in the past. As such they are a useful guide to the archaeological potential of a site
3. Cartographic evidence. Ordnance Survey maps and available early maps are consulted and examined. Historical maps are more easily available for urban sites. However, other sources, such as estate maps, are available for rural sites.
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4. Previous archaeological work near to the subject site. Previous fieldwork carried out locally can provide further information on the surrounding landscape and help to determine the nature of the archaeological resource. A yearly excavations bulletin catalogues all licensed fieldwork carried out in the state. The Archaeological Survey of Ireland and local journals can also be used as sources for this purpose
5. Field inspection. A site visit is necessary in order to determine the nature of the archaeological resource and potential remains. Previously unknown archaeological sites can be identified through topographical observations. A site visit can also be helpful in researching local traditions/folklore which may help to indicate levels of activity in the area in the past.
6. Aerial photographs. The Geological Survey of Ireland, based in Dublin, holds a comprehensive archive of high level vertical photographs available for consultation by the public and researchers. This is an invaluable resource for the recognition of new sites and the contributing to the understanding of known sites.
Examination of the above sources and the undertaking of the above procedures can result in a detailed statement of the possible impacts on the archaeological resource of a proposed development and set out recommendations as how the impact can be avoided, minimized or negated. By ensuring the earliest identification of the archaeological impacts of a development these impacts can be minimized or avoided, thus reducing costs and/or delays.
Direct and indirect impacts resulting from the proposed development on the archaeological resource should be described and considered. This section of the cultural impact assessment should address the results of disturbance by excavation or deposition, topsoil stripping or passage of machinery and subsequent physical loss to a monument or its setting, desiccation of archaeological objects or remains due to groundwater level changes, visual impacts and visual amenity impact.
Mitigation strategies and Archaeology
Although it is not always possible to detect archaeological sites prior to construction works, it is important to investigate the potential impacts at the earliest phase of development, if possible during site selection. The ideal mitigation for archaeological sites is avoidance/preservation in situ. This is, however, not always possible. If the risk of disturbing archaeological remains is considered minimal, no further archaeological work (other than monitoring of construction work) may be recommended. Recommendations in the impact statement can be offered as mitigation measures should preservation in situ prove impractical or impossible. These are as follows.
• Archaeological Test Trenching. Test excavation has been defined as that form of archaeological excavation where the purpose is to establish the nature and extent of archaeological deposits and features present in a location which it is proposed to develop (though not normally to fully investigate those deposits or
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features) and allow an assessment to be made of the archaeological impact of the proposed development (DAHGI, 1999). • Full Archaeological Excavation. Archaeological excavation has been described as being carried out in order to “mitigate the impact of development on archaeological deposits, features and objects through scientific recording … resulting in preservation by record …” (DAHGI, 1999). • Archaeological Monitoring. Archaeological monitoring has been described as "involving an archaeologist being present in the course of the carrying out of development works (which may include conservation works), so as to identify and protect archaeological deposits, features or objects which may be uncovered or otherwise affected by the works" (DAHGI, 1999).
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DATA SHEET TO ACCOMPANY REPORT ON ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION 01E1180 (EXT)
Site name Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Planning Reference Number N/a
Declan Moore
Author Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services Ltd Unit 6, Floor 1, Riveroaks, Claregalway, Co. Galway
National Grid Reference 18660/23090
GA088:006 SMR Number(s)
8 No of persons involoved
August 2002 Date of project
29 January 2003 Date of final report
This report describes the findings from archaeological excavation carried out at Creagh Junction, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. The licensee, Declan Moore and up to eight assistants carried out the work between 14th August and 27th August 2002.
The subject site lies between St Brigid’s Hospital and Creagh Church on the eastern side of the Athleague road, in an area that was formerly part of the hospital grounds. During initial groundworks in 2001, human skeletal remains were uncovered and as a result, an archaeological desktop assessment and a programme of archaeological testing was carried out by MOORE. A total of 71 grave cuts was observed and a further 21 possible inhumations were evident on site or in the section faces of trenches already dug. Galway County Council redesigned the proposed development in order to avoid the known burials. During construction works associated with the road in August 2002, a number of burial cuts and inhumations were exposed to the west of the area where the main concentration of skeletal remains had been observed during earlier testing. Following discussion with Dúchas, and given the advanced stage of construction works, full excavation of a strip at the east side of the road was undertaken.
Twelve skeletons in varying states of preservation were excavated and recorded.
Declan Moore Date: Archaeologist
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