First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1840, Scale 1:10560 (Figure 14.4)
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Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme Archaeology, Architectural & Cultural Heritage First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1840, scale 1:10560 (Figure 14.4) This mapping is the first accurate representation of the receiving environment. In general a large portion of the land appears to have been enclosed and drained for agricultural use although the banks of the river are largely annotated as ‘liable to flood’. Some straightening and realigning of the river has been undertaken within proximity to Kiltroge Castle (RMP GA070-071) which is shown in ruins. A cluster of six small structures are shown adjacent to the castle and an eel weir traverses the river. To the immediate south of the castle a small inlet of water is annotated as ‘Polldonnell’ and the probable original line of the river (now formed by a stream) is shown to the west creating a D-shaped island. The river continues west within a wide channel which diverges to create three islands and a probable farmyard is shown for the first time on the south bank in the townland of Lakeview (previously known as Thurloughbrega). The source of the tributary in Kiniska is annotated as Bunaniska and the stream is shown flowing south-west in an irregular meandering course. At Claregalway four structures have been constructed to the rear of the castle and a garden is also shown. One of the structures is a long narrow building on the bank of the river, possibly representing a mill structure. The bridge crossing the northern channel is illustrated as having four triangular cutwaters on both elevations. The plans of the structures at both abbeys (RMP GA070-035 and GA070-012) are illustrated for the first time. Graveyards and gardens are shown surrounding both and a tower is also shown within the structure of the main abbey. The nine-arch bridge at Baile Chláir (Claregalway) (RPS 108, NIAH 30407011) is shown however no detail is illustrated as on the northern bridge. No structures or features are illustrated within the location of the deserted village and earthworks/ enclosures (RMP GA070-109, GA070-111 and GA070-114). Further west the small structure on the south bank remains present. The two sections of road to be raised during the current flood relief works are shown almost in their current layout. The settlement at Montiagh South has grown in size while that of Gortcloonmore has reduced. A section of the river which once diverged north at this point has been reclaimed however a dotted line runs along the limit of the old course marking the area as ‘liable to inundation’. The Clare River continues west in a wide channel towards Lough Corrib. Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1896−7, scale 1:10560 (Figure 14.5) The Clare River has been straightened and narrowed to the immediate west of Claregalway. The southern channel at the town has been severed on the eastern side of the road and remains as a small stream, the western half forming into a pool to the south-west of the abbey (RMP GA070-012). A hand ball alley is annotated on the southern bank of the river to the north of abbey (GA070-012) however it is probably a predecessor of the alley recorded in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH 30407012). The line of the Kiniska River has been largely straightened and narrowed prior to joining the Clare River and the surrounding lands are marked as bog and liable to flood. Large areas have been reclaimed in the townland of Lakeview removing the western channel and rejoining the islands with the western bank. A kink in the river at Crusheeny has been bypassed with a new channel cut on the northern bank leaving a D-shaped watercourse on the southern bank. Land has also been reclaimed to the immediate east and west of Kiltroge castle (RMP GA070-071). No structures are now shown in the immediate vicinity of the castle and while it has reduced in size the pool named ‘Polldonnell’ remains present on the northern bank. A footbridge crosses the river east of this adjacent to a sheepfold on the southern bank. The banks of the river along this section have been planted and embanked. Further east a new channel has been cut on the southern bank, with the original course to the north being reclaimed. A section of road (to be raised as part of the current works) has been straightened to the north-west of Claregalway crossing a small tributary. Third Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1919−1921, scale 1:10560 There are no major changes to the course of the river shown on this mapping. The surrounding landscape has been further enclosed and drained. A road has been constructed to the east of Kiltroge castle (RMP GA070-071) crossing the river at the location of the footbridge in the second edition. Fourth Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1933, scale 1:10560 There are no major changes to the course of the river shown on this mapping. The embankments are shown for the first time to the west of Baile Chlair along the north and south bank and again to the west of Kiltroge castle (RMP GA070-071). MGE0262Rp0012 315 Rev.F01 Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme Archaeology, Architectural & Cultural Heritage 14.3.1.4 County Development Plan The County Galway Development Plan (2009−2015) and Claregalway Local Area Plan (2005−2011) identify and acknowledge the statutory protection afforded to the RMPs within the vicinity of the proposed development area under the National Monuments Act. These include the medieval settlement at Baile Chláir (Claregalway) (abbey GA070-035 Nat. Mon. 165, abbey GA070-012, castle GA070-036) and the castle at Cill Torróg (Kiltroge) (GA070-071). 14.3.1.5 Aerial Photographic Analysis Inspection of the aerial photographic coverage of the proposed development area held by the Ordnance Survey (1995, 2000, 2005) and Google Earth (2008) revealed no definite previously unrecorded sites of archaeological potential within the area of proposed development. One possible site was identified in the townland of Gort an tSleibhe (Gortatleva) to the south of the river. This feature may also represent dredged material from the river however. The line of the original river course is clearly visible on the photographs and the banks of the river are disguised by dumped material. 14.3.1.6 Field Inspection The field inspection sought to assess the study area, its previous and current land use, the topography and whether any areas or sites of archaeological potential were present. During the course of the field investigation the proposed development area and its surrounding environs were inspected for known or previously unknown archaeological sites (Figures 14.2 a and b). The field inspection was undertaken on Monday 21st November 2011 in overcast wet conditions. Due to ongoing flood relief works at Claregalway excavations had been undertaken recently within the vicinity of the bridge. These areas have been restored to normal ground level and a new wall has been constructed to the north of graveyard and abbey (RMP GA070-012) (Image 14.1). Large embankments of dumped material have been constructed along the southern bank of the river to the west of the church and graveyard and some dumping of modern construction debris was also noted (Image 14.2). No upstanding remains of archaeological significance were noted in this area. Image 14.1: Southern bank of river, north of abbey and graveyard (RMP GA070-012), facing east MGE0262Rp0012 316 Rev.F01 Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme Archaeology, Architectural & Cultural Heritage Image 14.2: Church and graveyard (RMP GA070-012), facing east To the east of the bridge a large area has been stripped (Image 14.3). This site was tested in 2010 (O’ Neill 2011; Ministerial Consent E4248) and a burnt mound was identified and preserved in situ. It is possible that the site of earthwork (RMP GA070-111003) was disturbed by the recent activity or partially covered with materials deposited on site. Moated site (RMP GA070-111001) comprises a rectangular raised area located to the immediate west of a field boundary (Image 14.4). The earthwork (RMP GA070-111002) is visible as a very low rise in the field (Image 14.5). A large embankment has been constructed along the southern bank of the river during the 20th century c. 3−4m south of the water edge (Image 14.3). This embankment becomes less substantial continuing east along the river and is partially overgrown with mature trees and bushes. A small overgrown stone wall was noted on the bank as the river turns south (Image 14.6) which is represented on the third edition OS map. The banks are waterlogged and large patches of rushes are growing along its length. The fields to the south of the embankment in Lakeview are largely comprised of pasture and a number of them are waterlogged. MGE0262Rp0012 317 Rev.F01 Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme Archaeology, Architectural & Cultural Heritage Image 14.3: Area to the east of bridge at Baile Chláir (Claregalway), facing east Image 14.4: Moated site GA070-11101, facing south MGE0262Rp0012 318 Rev.F01 Clare River (Claregalway) Flood Relief Scheme Archaeology, Architectural & Cultural Heritage Image 14.5: Site of earthwork GA070-11102, facing south-west Image 14.6: Southern bank of the river in Droim na gaoithe (Lakeview) townland, facing east The Kiniska Stream enters the Clare River at this point (Image 14.7). The banks of the stream are partially overgrown in the southern half of the stream. This section has also been subject to reclamation. The stream continues north bound by fields of pasture and is notably less overgrown in this section.