County: Louth Site name: DROMISKIN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0076 and ext.
Author: George Eogan, Knowth Project
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 705334m, N 797341m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.914726, -6.396619
In connection with building work two areas were monitored; these were at either end of an existing dwelling-house and were close to SMR 12:47.
To the north side of the house an area 8m by 26m was opened. This was flat ground that had been kept as a lawn adjacent to a house. The work, which was carried out by mechanical means, initially involved the stripping of the humus over the entire area. This proved to be 0.2m in average depth. It was homogeneous humus devoid of any features. Immediately beneath were glacial gravels. No evidence for any features or finds came to light. In order to test the material further, four pits, c. 2m x 5m, were dug at different points to a depth of 0.6m. These confirmed that this material was natural.
To the south side of the house an area, a lawn with shrubs, was prepared for a carpark extension. This was somewhat trapezoidal in shape and measured 36m by 9–13m. The work was carried out by mechanical means. After stripping the sod, it was clear that the area had been interfered with at the time that the house was constructed, around 1974. On top of the original surface a build-up, consisting largely of building debris, took place. This fill averaged 0.3–0.4m deep at the western end but increased to c. 0.6m over the northern portion. Trenches for sewerage and electricity were also dug across the site. The modern fill was removed to the natural surface. This was scraped, but no archaeological features or finds came to light.
University College, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
