2023:891 - Roestown, Meath

Archaeological testing was undertaken on a proposed development site at Roestown, Co. Meath, on 29 and 30 August 2023. The development site is located c.85m east of an early medieval cemetery-settlement uncovered during archaeological monitoring and excavation in 2018 (2018:032) and 2019 (2019:474), and preserved in situ within the adjoining ‘Dun Rioga Crescent’ housing development.

Archaeological testing comprised the excavation of three test trenches on the footprint of the proposed development. Several linear and irregular features were investigated during the course of testing but none were deemed to be archaeological. Considering the extensive archaeology uncovered on the adjoining site, it was recommended that all topsoil strip at construction stage should be subject to archaeological monitoring. The first phase of monitoring was carried out from 2-6 October 2023 when most of the site was topsoil-stripped. No archaeology was found during testing or monitoring.