County: Westmeath Site name: ROBINSTOWN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Niall Brady
Site type: Settlement platform
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 640142m, N 745324m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.456452, -7.395581
A 3rd season of excavation (2nd–18th June) opened 2 new cuttings, completing excavation of c. 70% of Platform 1 and extending a narrow trench into a 2nd platform which abuts the site on its northern, lakeward side (Platform 2). The aim of this season's work was to investigate the indications of internal divisions on Platform 1, and to ascertain its relationship with Platform 2. The presence of 2 small circular stone structures on Platform 1 was confirmed but their remains were too denuded to realise their function. The metalling observed in the north-eastern quadrant in previous seasons was identified in the north-west where it merged imperceptibly into the less ordered, more casual surface that makes up the working surface elsewhere on the platform. A portion of the enclosing perimeter revetment was identified along the northern side. The cutting extended into Platform 2 to the north indicates that both platforms were constructed at the same time. This portion of Platform 2 did not reveal any structural features other than a lightly made perimeter of stones loosely clustered together. No further excavation is planned.
Medieval Studies Program, 259 Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-3201, USA
