HC Deb 29 January 1990 vol 166 c10W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the significance of the archaeological site at Bridgend road, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The site is regarded as of great archaeological importance. It is a circular enclosure, recognised from aerial photography and interpreted as an ecclesiastical settlement of the early Christian period (5th to 12th centuries AD). Such enclosures are not common in Northern Ireland.

Early 19th century records of human remains and stone-lined graves confirm the presence of an early graveyard within the enclosure.

A medieval parish church was recorded on the site in 1306 AD. The ruins of a later church, built in 1622 AD, still stand within the enclosure and have been scheduled for protection under the Historic Monuments Act (Northern Ireland) 1971.

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to excavate the archaeological site at Templecorran, Bridgend road, Ballycarry, Co. Antrim.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

There are no such plans.