Mayo Archaeology

Archaeologists working in Mayo County Council work in tandem with colleagues across the organisation to protect sites and monuments during the planning and construction stages of works within the county. They work to record and recover as much as possible when archaeological or historical sites are impacted by large scale works and in doing so preserve a record of our county over time.

Here are a number of presentations prepared in 2012 for Heritage Week which highlight some of the work our archaeologists do.

The following presentation covers a selection of archaeological sites and finds recovered in the period 1998 - 2012 during archaeological monitoring, testing and excavations in South, East and Central County Mayo.

A final presentation below highlights some more finds across a number of works projects in Co. Mayo.

Click here for more on the Archaeology and Built heritage of County Mayo.

Archaeological articles and reports associated with schemes of work in Mayo can be accessed by clicking on the links below. Image galleries containing aerial surveys conducted throughout the county over a number of decades are also available to view.

Aerial Surveys, Reports and Articles on archaeological works in Mayo.

Click each section below to access.

Aerial Surveys of County Mayo
Select a location to view associated aerial survey images.
Scheme of Works, Archaeological Articles and Reports
Select a heading below to view related archaeological articles, reports and presentations.
- Countywide Archaeological Reports
- N26 Cloongullaun Realignment Scheme
- Of Troughs and Tuyeres: the archaeology of the N5 Charlestown bypass
- Belcarra Archaeological Survey
The Belcarra Archaeological Survey was carried out from September 1987 to May 1988 as part of a FAS training programme. A team of young researchers under the guidance of Leo Morahan, Archaeologist, conducted the field work over a period of six months. Although the area surveyed was small, half the parish of Drum, it turned up a wealth of archaeological monuments and artefacts. The final report is an inventory of Archaeological resources, complete with drawings, descriptions, and historical notes. It was the first comprehensive survey of field monuments conducted in Mayo since John O'Donovan's work with the Ordinance Survey in 1838. It is a primary reference material for Archaeologists and historians into the future. Produced in two volumes, containing over six hundred pages, it is a rich source of local history. Click below to view each volume:
Volume I
Volume II

Mayo Abbey Archaeological Survey

The Mayo Abbey Archaeological Survey was carried out in the area between May 1995 and June 1996 under the supervision of Leo Morahan. Altogether there were a total of 37 new monuments discovered throughout the year and the greatest concentration of discoveries were those in Knockaunakill. While this volume contains a list of ancient monuments for the area, let it be noted that it is not definitive - extensive fieldwork was carried out only in the following townlands: Freeheen, Fahybeg, Knockaunabroona, Corlisland, Gortaphuill, Brownhall Demesne, Shanrawy, Cloonbaul, Summerhill North, Carrowhall, Barnagreggaun, Knockaunakill, Lehannagh, Heathlawn, Coolaghbaun, Ballinlough, Tawnylough, Parknashingaun, Loughpark, Cornahavoley, Comamonaster, Ballymakeogh, Gorteenmore and Ardcorky. It can be accessed here