Motorway sites may have archaeological interest

Several sites of possible archaeological interest have been identified along proposed motorway routes running through Co Laois, it was confirmed today.

The National Roads Authority (NRA) said test trenching along the M7 and M8 motorway had identified a number of sites.

“There is nothing of any exceptional significance at this point, we are at a relatively early stage,” Michael Egan of the NRA said.

The sites, which may be of interest historically, are believed to be located close to Cullahill and Clonadacasey near Portlaoise.

Mr Egan said workers would expect to identify sites along any major road scheme and it was currently not causing any delays in construction along the routes.

“We have applied through Laois County Council to the Minister for the Environment for directions in relation to how the sites initially located should be dealt with from here on in,” he said.

“Through excavation if that is the minister’s requirement, we will establish more precisely what may or may not be there. But at the moment it is certainly premature to talk about anything of any major or international significance.”

Meanwhile, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche recently directed consultant archaeologists to begin preliminary work along the most controversial section of the proposed M3 motorway – near the Hill of Tara in Co Meath.

The work has started in advance of archaeological excavations of 38 sites on the route.

The Save Tara-Skryne Valley group has continued to campaign for the full preservation of sites and the re-routing of the M3 further away from the historic Hill of Tara site.