1994:220 - MULLINGAR: Austin Friar St., Westmeath

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Westmeath Site name: MULLINGAR: Austin Friar St.

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 94E0095

Author: Carmel Duffy

Site type: Graveyard

Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)

ITM: E 643941m, N 753022m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.525327, -7.337303

Excavation was necessitated due to the discovery of human skeletal remains during footpath refurbishment in an area within the archaeological potential for Mullingar. It was close to the site of an abbey historically thought to have been one of the Augustinian foundations in medieval Mullingar.

A significant amount of human bone was recovered from the disturbed areas and was also present and recorded in those profiles visible under Austin Friars St., both on the side of the houses and the road.

Though truncated by previous phases of construction, it is likely that the skeletal material uncovered represented part of the documented Augustinian Priory cemetery which is said to have been present in this area of the town. This was reinforced by the discovery of skeletal material over the years in the vicinity.

Limberstown Great, Summerhill, Co. Meath, for Project Director V.J. Keeley