1999:865 - RATTIN, Kinnegad, Westmeath
County: Westmeath
Site name: RATTIN, Kinnegad
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 99E0626
Author: Malachy Conway, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 654744m, N 744558m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.448255, -7.175877
An assessment was undertaken at a proposed residential development at Rattin, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath, on 3 November 1999. The site is c. 1500m north-west of SMR 34:8, a substantial 16th-century tower-house called Rattin Castle. The site is also close to the possible path of the Slí Aisiul, or Royal Road, which ran west from Tara, crossing the barony of Moygashel in County Westmeath. An Ordnance Survey memo by George Wynne from 1837 records that traces of an old roadway were visible at that time in the field across the road (north) from the castle.
Six test-trenches were excavated across the areas to be disturbed by the proposed development of two single-storey houses, in a field of fairly low-lying pasture without any noticeable topographic expressions.
Trenches 1 and 2 were positioned west-east along the proposed north and south foundation line of the dwelling in Site B (west). Both trenches measured 19m by 0.8m. Brown topsoil 0.4–0.5m deep, which overlay natural, grey, gravelly clay with a high stone component, was found in both trenches.
Trench 3 was positioned north-west to south-east along the line of the proposed septic tank and drain to percolation area from the proposed dwelling in Site B (west). It measured 15m by 0.8m. Brown topsoil up to 0.6m deep overlay natural, grey, gravelly clay with a high stone boulder component.
Trenches 4 and 5 were positioned west-east along the proposed north and south foundation line of the dwelling in Site A (east); both trenches measured 20m by 0.8m. Brown topsoil 0.4–0.5m deep overlay natural, grey, gravelly clay with a high stone boulder component. A north-south, linear, U-shaped gully was found c. 6m from the west end of Trench 4, cut into subsoil, and represents the remains of a field drain that continued into Trench 5, c. 6m from the western end.
Trench 6 was positioned north-west to south-east along the line of the proposed septic tank and drain to percolation area from the proposed dwelling in Site A (east); the trench measured 15m by 0.8m. Brown topsoil up to 0.5m deep overlay natural, grey, gravelly clay with a high stone component.
The assessment did not uncover any soils, features or finds of archaeological significance.