Moneygall, Co. Offaly

An archaeological investigation was undertaken in advance of a housing development by Cooldine Construction Ltd, at Moneygall, County Offaly. The work was required as a condition of planning which stipulated that all groundworks should be archaeologically monitored during development. On commencement of work it quickly became obvious that substantial archaeology including a medieval cemetery was present just below the ground surface. Headland Archaeology Ltd proposed a mitigation strategy to the client which minimised both the impact of the development on the archaeology and the cost to the client of excavating the site. Headland archaeology Ltd also negotiated the terms of the mitigation strategy and its implementation with the statutory authorities on behalf of the client. Although a substantial amount of archaeology still required to be excavated, the majority of the cemetery was preserved in areas of the site through a design solution.