2018:174 - Dowth Hall, Dowth, Meath

A programme of monitoring was undertaken from 27 June 2017 to 28 July 2017 in advance of ground works associated with the renovation of Dowth Hall. A number of 18th- and 19th-century architectural structures and significant passage tomb structural remains were identified to the west (Area 1), south-west (Area 2), and south (Area 3) of Dowth Hall. A programme of testing was undertaken from 31 July 2017 to 15 February 2018 to assess these archaeological features and deposits.

The 18th-century structures (external basement, western servants’ tunnel, southern servants’ tunnel, bowed projection, southern wing wall, and south-west annex) were built during the initial phase of construction of Dowth Hall, which may have spanned two decades (1740s-1765), begun by the 5th Viscount Netterville and completed by his son. Further construction work (north-west annex, external access tunnel, conservatory) was undertaken by the Gradwells in the 19th century. The 18th- and 19th-century builders appear to have quarried stone from the passage tomb remains to build these structures.
Following removal of the 18th-century building rubble layers, two megalithic chambers — a small, stalled chamber (Tomb 1: 0.75m north-west/south-east x 1.7m) in Area 1 and a larger chamber (Tomb 2: 4.5m west-south-west/east-north-east x 6.6m) in Area 2 — and part of a perimeter kerb (6 kerbstones) were identified. A difference in cairn structure was noted between the areas, with large river-rolled cobbles predominating in Area 1, while in Areas 2 and 3 the cairn material is comprised solely of large angular stones. A capping layer of small, rounded quartz pebbles was present in Area 3. A number of features (two possible stone settings, a linear ditch) were also found in front of the mound, to the south of the kerb.

It is unclear whether the remains identified represent two individual passage tombs or one large tomb, although the latter hypothesis is currently favoured by the author. If the remains are considered to represent one mound, it is possible to calculate a diameter of c.40m. While smaller than the mega mounds of Brú na Bóinne, it may represent an earlier, large focal tomb within a passage tomb cemetery that included ME020-012---- and ME020-013----, which are located on the lawn to the west of Dowth Hall.

Further investigation of the passage tomb remains resumed on 3 May 2018 and is currently ongoing.

Devenish, Dowth Hall, Co. Meath