Sectors
We work with clients from across all sectors to achieve project outcomes that exceed our clients’ expectations.
AMS and its staff have a proven track record of successfully working on a number of large-scale infrastructural projects throughout Ireland and the UK.
For some projects, we have acted as Project Archaeologist (managing the archaeological contract on behalf of the client). For other projects as Consultant Archaeologist (undertaking constraints studies, route selections and EIA’s of the preferred routes, while we have also carried out LiDAR Assessments and Geophysical Surveys). And many projects as Archaeological Contractor (undertaking the on-site archaeological investigations and post-excavation services).
N77 Ballyragget Village to Ballynaslee Road Improvement Scheme
The proposed development will consist of the realignment of a 2.44km section of the N77 to remove a bend immediately to the north of the Glanbia plant at Ballyragget.
Six sites were identified and excavated through a combination of historical research, remote sensing and archaeological test trenching.
N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project, Co Roscommon
Stage (i) and (ii) site works commenced in June 2019.
These included:
- Geophysical Surveys
- Standard Test Excavations
- Site Specific Test Excavations
- Test Excavations in Wetland
- Underwater Surveys
- Built Heritage Surveys
- Townland Boundary Surveys
- Site-specific Metal Detector Surveys prior to Stage (iii) excavation
- Aerial Surveys
- Palaeo-environmental Coring
AMS also completed Stage (iii) Archaeological Excavation of eighty-eight sites for this project.
N69 Listowel Bypass
AMS have now completed the Stage (i)/(ii) and (iii) on-site archaeological works for the N69 Listowel Bypass. These works commenced in November 2018 and were completed in August 2019.
They included:
- Standard Test Excavations
- Test Excavations in Wetland
- Archaeological Excavations
- Underwater Surveys
- Built Heritage Surveys
- Townland Boundary Surveys
- Aerial Surveys
- Palaeo-environmental Coring
AMS are currently producing the Stage (iii) and (iv) excavation reports and undertaking post-excavation specialist analysis for this project. A PDF poster on the findings from this project can be downloaded by clicking on this link.
Cross Tay Link Road Project, UK
AMS completed the Cultural Heritage chapter of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) in November 2019 and currently act as heritage consultants for this project.
The project involves:
- Stakeholder consultation
- Scoping
- A desk-based baseline study
- A walk-over survey of the proposed route to inform the baseline
- Site visits to inform the setting impact assessments
- Cultural Heritage impact assessment and reporting
- Developing archaeological strategies for investigation and mitigation
- Prepare tender documents for archaeological investigations, both non-invasive (e.g. geophysical surveys) and invasive (e.g. evaluation trenching)
- Overseeing these contracts and the archaeological contractors appointed to carry out these investigations
N72 Stagmount Bends Road Improvement Scheme
Archaeological discoveries on this scheme included two fulachtaí fia, habitation sites, a blacksmith’s forge, and a portion of the 18th-century Rathmore to Killarney turnpike road.
This short film showcases the forge and turnpike road excavations. The portion of a Turnpike road discovered during these excavations is believed to have been a section of ‘The Butter Road’ also known as the ‘Straight Road’ or the ‘Old Kerry Road’ which was built in 1748 to link Cork-Millstreet-Castleisland-Listowel, with a branch to Killarney. The forge was constructed as a direct response to the construction of the turnpike road.
These two excavations (Gortanahaneboy East 2&3) were excavated in advance of construction of the N72 Stagmount Bends Road Improvement Scheme, Co. Kerry by AMS for Kerry County Council and the TII.
For Heritage Week 2022, AMS have created a poster and StoryMap showcasing the archaeological discoveries that were made during excavations for the N72 Brackaharagh Road Improvement Scheme, located between Rathmore and Barraduff in County Kerry.
The earliest evidence included burnt mounds/fulachtaí fia dating from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. Also found was a portion of an eighteenth-century turnpike road and an eighteenth/nineteenth-century blacksmith’s forge.
Other Projects
Other key AMS Infrastructure Projects include:
- Dublin Airport North Runway – Archaeological Contractor for the Dublin Airport Authority.
- All Trunk Road projects in Scotland – Cultural Heritage Advisor for Transport Scotland on behalf of Jacobs UK.
- N70 Kilderry Bends Road Improvement Scheme – Archaeological Contractor for Kerry County Council.
- N56 Dungloe to Glenties – Resident Archaeologist Services for Donegal County Council.
- N61 Tulsk – Clashaganny – Consultant Archaeologist: constraints, route selection and EIA, for Roscommon County Council.
- N61 Ballymurray – Knockcroghery – Consultant Archaeologist: LiDAR Assessment, constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route for Roughan & O’Donovan on behalf of Roscommon National Roads Regional Office (RNRRO), Roscommon County Council.
- N61 Tulsk–Knockcroghery – Consultant Archaeologist: LiDAR Assessment, constraints, route selection and EIA for RNRRO, Roscommon County Council.
- N59 Corhawnagh to Crockacullion Road Improvement Scheme – Consultant Archaeologist: Architectural Heritage Route Selection Study for the Sligo National Roads Project Office, Sligo County Council.
- N21 Abbeyfeale Bypass – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route for Mid-West National Road Design Office, Limerick City and County Council on behalf of Jacobs;
- N21 Newcastle West Bypass – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route being carried out for Mid-West National Road Design Office, Limerick City and County Council on behalf of Jacobs;
- N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin Road Development – Archaeological Contractor for Roadbridge.
- N70, N72, N86 Road Improvement Schemes – Archaeological Contractor for Kerry County Council.
- N52 Cloghan to Billistown Phase 2: Turin to Billistown Realignment – Archaeological Contractor for Westmeath County Council.
- Kerry, Cork & Clare Bridge Rehabilitation Contract – Archaeological Contractor for TII and Kerry County Council.
- Cork Line Level Crossings Project Irish Rail – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage EIA and Geophysical Survey Services for the closure of 7 level crossings on the Cork-Dublin Railway Line for Iarnród Éireann on behalf of Jacobs.
- TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal – Consultant Archaeologist: LiDAR Assessment for TII and Donegal County Council.
- Eastern Garavogue Bridge Project, Co. Sligo – Project Archaeologist for Sligo Borough Council.
- R402 Enfield to Edenderry Road Improvement Scheme – Project Archaeologist for Kildare County Council on behalf of RPS.
- N51 Dunmoe Phase 2 Scheme – Consultant Archaeologist providing Geophysical Survey for Meath County Council.
- N52 Grange to Clontail, Co. Meath – Consultant Archaeologist providing Geophysical Survey for Meath County Council.
- N22 Farranfore to Killarney, Co. Kerry – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route for Kerry National Roads Office, Kerry County Council on behalf of Jacobs.
- Western Rail Link to Heathrow Archaeological Consultant – Network Rail on behalf of Jacobs UK.
- N2 Ardee to Castleblayney, Co. Louth & Monaghan – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route for Monaghan County Council on behalf of Jacobs.
- N2 Clontibret to Border, Co. Monaghan – Consultant Archaeologist: cultural heritage constraints study, route selection and EIA of the preferred route for Monaghan County Council on behalf of Jacobs.
AMS is currently involved in several water and utilities projects throughout Ireland and the UK. We are contracted as Project Archaeologists for all flood relief schemes in Co. Cork through the Office of Public Works. We have written numerous archaeological assessments for waste water treatment plants, water pipeline rehabilitation schemes and sewage schemes. We have also undertaken the role of Archaeological Contractor for many of these schemes providing archaeological testing, monitoring and excavation services.
Case Studies include:
Water Network Programme
Role: Archaeological Consultants
Clients: Jacobs and Farrans on behalf of Irish Water
Over the course of the last two years AMS has prepared numerous Archaeological and Architectural Heritage Screening Reports (upwards of 100), developed mitigation strategies and monitored archaeologically sensitive areas/zones for schemes forming part of the nationwide Water Network Programme (WNP) being undertaken by Irish Water.
Bandon Flood Relief Scheme
Role: Project Archaeologist
Client: Client: Office of Public Works (OPW)
In 2017, AMS were appointed by the OPW as their Project Archaeologist for all flood relief schemes (FRS) in Co. Cork, which includes:
- Bandon FRS
- Skibbereen FRS
- Clonakilty FRS
- Lower Lee (Cork City) FRS
- Blackpool FRS
- Ballymakeera – Ballyvourney FRS
- Glashaboy (Glanmire) FRS
- Douglas (Togher) FRS
The first of these projects that we managed was the Bandon FRS, a €16 million FRS being advanced by the OPW in partnership with Cork County Council for Bandon Town.
Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme
Role: Cultural Heritage Assessment
Client: RPS
AMS was engaged by RPS on behalf of Irish Water to carry out a cultural heritage assessment of the proposed Tuam Regional Water Supply Scheme Extensions in Co. Galway.
The study, which involved desktop research and fieldwork, considered the potential impact of the proposed scheme extension on archaeological and architectural heritage, and made recommendations to ensure compliance with National Monuments legislation.
We were further engaged to undertake a similar assessment of the Belturbet Water Supply Scheme.
Other Projects
Other key AMS Water and Utilities Projects include:
- Foxford, Charlestown and Killala Sewerage Schemes Bundle, Co. Mayo – Archaeological Contractor for MEIC Ltd. & Glan Agua.
- Greater Dublin Drainage Project – Project Archaeologist for Irish Water on behalf of RPS.
- Claregalway Flood Relief Scheme – Project Archaeologist for the Office of Public Works on behalf of RPS.
- Enfield Waste Water Treatment Plant, Co. Meath – Consultant Archaeologist and Contractor for Jacobs.
- Burtonport Wastewater Treatment Plant, Co. Donegal – Consultant Archaeologist for Jacobs.
- Longwood Wastewater Treatment Plant, County Meath – Consultant Archaeologist for Irish Water on behalf of Jacobs.
- Ballygar Wastewater Treatment Plant Extension, Co. Galway – Consultant Archaeologist for RPS.
- Belturbet Water Supply Scheme, Co. Cavan – Consultant Archaeologist for RPS.
- Lowestoft Flood Risk Management Project, Suffolk – Archaeological Consultant for Waveney District Council on behalf of CH2M.
AMS is currently providing archaeological services for a number of windfarm projects in Ireland and the UK. Our services have included producing management plans, undertaking architectural surveys, archaeological investigations and post excavation services.
Recent projects include:
Rathnacally Windfarm
Role: Archaeological Contractor
Client: B&R Wind Ltd
AMS have completed the on-site monitoring and archaeological excavation works at Rathnacally Wind Farm, Co. Cork. These works commenced in October 2017 and were completed in April 2018. AMS have produced the preliminary and final excavation reports and undertaken post-excavation specialist analysis for this project.
Galway Wind Park
Role: Archaeological Management Plan
Client: Roadbridge
Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s largest wind farm development, comprising 58 turbines and covering an area of over 40km2 with the capacity to power 140,000 homes.
AMS were retained by the construction contractor, Roadbridge, to produce an archaeological management plan for the development, including mechanisms for the preservation of archaeological monuments.
We then conducted:
- archaeological monitoring
- surveys of known and newly discovered archaeological sites, and
- an architectural survey of 19th-century vernacular farm buildings, kilns and other structures.
We also carried out folklore studies within the community, along with public outreach and dissemination initiatives. These included: talks, school visits and publications.
On the basis of a portion of this work, an article was published in Archaeology Ireland examining the form and function of some concealed poteen stills identified during the fieldwork. We also developed a proposal for the conservation of some of the vernacular buildings.
Meenwaun Wind Farm near Banagher, Co. Offaly
Role: Archaeological Monitoring and Excavations
Client: Roadbridge
AMS undertook the archaeological monitoring and test excavations for the Meenwaun Wind Farm outside Banagher in County Offaly on behalf of Roadbridge.
A number of archaeological features were revealed and excavated, and a Neolithic stone axe was recovered. This axe turned out to be a fascinating object with a long history. It probably broke during use, and was then passed down through the generations until finally being deposited at the edge of a small stream or lake edge.
It is intended to publish an article about this unusual find in Archaeology Ireland in the near future.
Other Projects
Other key AMS Energy-Sector Projects include:
- Teevurcher Wind Farm, Co. Meath – Archaeological Contractor for Roadbridge Ltd.
- Boolard Windfarm, Co. Cork – Archaeological Contractor for Natural Power.
- Leanamore Wind Farm, Co. Kerry – Archaeological Contractor for Roadbridge.
- Bord na Móna Ash Disposal Facility, Derraghan More, Co. Longford – Archaeological Contractor for Bord na Móna.
- AMS are also currently working as Consultant Archaeologist with Natural Power on the early stages of four wind farms in Scotland.
AMS is providing a range of archaeological services to this sector. Our experience includes projects like the New Children’s Hospital in Dublin (currently the largest state-sponsored urban development in the country), the Curragh Racecourse redevelopment in Kildare, as well as numerous Data-Centre Developments and Pharmaceutical Projects.
New Children’s Hospital, Dublin
Role: Project Archaeologist
Client: National Paediatric Hospital Development Board
This project is within the grounds of the existing St James’s Hospital in Dublin. The hospital under development is of national strategic importance and aims to deliver a world-class facility to care for sick children and young people from all over Ireland.
With a total construction value of c.€1.6 billion, this is one of the largest urban developments to take place in Dublin in recent years, measuring 4.86ha in total with the entire site subject to disturbance and/or excavation.
Ballymakaily, Co. Dublin
Role: Archaeological Contractor
Client: Burr Computer Environments Inc.
Proposed development of a data centre and ancillary infrastructure, including an ESB substation, car parking, internal site access and drainage works at Grange Business Park, Co. Dublin.
Curragh Racecourse Redevelopment
Role: Archaeological Contractor
Client: Curragh Racecourse Ltd
AMS have completed the on-site works for the redevelopment at the Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare. These works commenced in February 2017 and were completed in November 2017.
They included archaeological testing (two phases), monitoring and excavation of a number of archaeological features identified during testing in the area of the proposed new wastewater treatment plant, including an Iron Age ring-ditch (a prehistoric burial site).
Other Projects
Other key AMS Commercial and Industrial Projects include:
- Raheen Business Park, Co. Limerick – Archaeological Contractor for Jacobs.
- Crag Digital Data Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin – Archaeological Contractor for Crag Digital Ltd.
- Setanta Vehicle Testing Centre, Dublin 15 – Archaeological Contractor for Setanta Vehicle Holdings Ltd.
- Athlone Business and Technology Park, Co. Westmeath – Consultant Archaeologist and Contractor for Aerie Pharmaceuticals on behalf of Jacobs.
- Kevin Street DIT Re-development, Dublin – Consultant Archaeologist and Contractor for John Spain Associates.
- Roche Ireland Pharmaceutical Remediation Works, Clarecastle, County Clare – Archaeological Contractor for AECOM Ireland Ltd.
- Extension of Arran Road Food and Drink Park – Heritage Consultant on behalf of Sweco/Perth and Kinross Council.
- Kish, Co. Wicklow – Consultant Archaeologist providing Geophysical Survey for Echelon-DC.
- EngineNode Data Centre, Co. Meath – Consultant Archaeologist providing Geophysical Survey for Clifton Scannell Emerson Associates Consulting Engineers and EngineNode.
AMS is currently involved in a number of exciting Urban Renewal projects including the Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development and the Thurles Town Centre Integrated Renewal Strategy Masterplan. We have also provided Consultant Archaeologist services to Dublin City Council for the Kilmainham Mills Conservation Project and the proposed White-Water Rafting Facility at George’s Dock.
Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development
Role: Project Archaeologist
Client: Kilkenny County Council
AMS are the Project Archaeologists overseeing the archaeological aspects of the Kilkenny Abbey Quarter Development project on behalf of Kilkenny County Council.
This is a planned redevelopment of 8.25ha in the centre of Kilkenny City on the site of the former Diageo or Smithwick’s Brewery.
Other Projects
Other key AMS Urban Renewal Projects include:
- Kerdiffstown Landfill Remediation Project – Archaeological Contractor and subsequently Project Archaeologist for RPS and Kildare County Council.
- Thurles Town Centre Integrated Renewal Strategy Masterplan (including the preparation of a Masterplan Design Concept for the regeneration of the Friar Street, Croke Street and Castle Avenue Quarter) – Consultant Archaeologists for LUC.
- Whitegates to Marina Building Athlone: Shared Cycleway and Footway Scheme – Archaeological Contractor for Westmeath County Council.
- Kilmainham Mills Conservation Project – Consultant Archaeologist and Contractor for Dublin City Council.
- White-water Rafting Facility, George’s Dock, Dublin – Consultant Archaeologist for Dublin City Council.
- St Mary’s Abbey and Porch Field Footpath Installation, Trim, Co Meath – Consultant Archaeologist providing Geophysical Survey for Meath County Council.
