1999:682 - DUNMOE, N51 Road Realignment, Meath

An assessment was carried out from 23 to 25 August 1999 on four sites identified in the environmental impact statement along the proposed realignment of the N51 road at Dunmoe, Co. Meath. The first of these sites was within the road-take adjacent to the Donaghmore monastic complex (Site A) but within the townland of Blackcastle Demesne. Site B was also within the townland of Blackcastle Demesne and was identified during a field inspection. It was an oval mound defined by a U-shaped ditch. A third site (Site C), also within Blackcastle Demesne, was identified during a field inspection and was an earthen-banked, linear feature 0.3–0.4m high, running north-east to south-west for c. 20m; this appeared to be a road or pathway. Site D was identified during a field inspection in the townland of Dunmoe and was visible as a circular spread of nettles with a diameter of 9m.

Sites A and D were tested by machine to determine whether archaeological deposits were present. Sites B and C were clearly man-made features and were tested by hand-excavation.

Site A, Blackcastle Demesne
A trench 100m long by 1m was excavated parallel to and to the south of the existing roadway, within the road-take of the proposed road realignment adjacent to the Donaghmore monastic complex. The trench was excavated to a depth of 0.5–0.6m, to the top of natural boulder clay. Approximately 0.5m from the northern end of the trench a shallow ditch that had been cut into the natural boulder clay was exposed, running towards the road, and represented a relatively modern field boundary. This was indicated on the various Ordnance Survey maps and is not linked with the monastic site. The ditch was c. 2m wide and 0.5–0.6m deep. The trench consisted entirely of ploughsoil right down onto the natural boulder clay, indicating that this field had been extensively ploughed in the recent past. No archaeological material was exposed, and no finds were recovered. The proposed road realignment will therefore not affect any archaeological deposits in the area.

Site B, Blackcastle Demesne
This site was identified during field inspection as an oval mound surrounded by a ditch on all sides with the exception of the side next to the roadway. Following the clearing of the vegetation from the site, it became apparent that this feature was a quarry that had been excavated into the side of the hill. Other, similar disused quarries occur in the immediate area, some of which are indicated on the Ordnance Survey map. A trench was excavated to the natural boulder clay through the feature and through the ditch along the south-western side. This confirmed the feature to be a quarry, partially backfilled with material dumped there in the last ten to twenty years. Finds recovered from the mound included mineral cans, whiskey and gin bottles, and fragments of tarmacadam. This feature is therefore not of archaeological significance and appears to be of recent date.

Site C, Blackcastle Demesne
Site C was visible on the ground heading south-eastwards from the present roadway for a distance of 30m before returning southwards towards the River Boyne. A trench was excavated across this feature north-east to south-west within and parallel to the land-take of the proposed roadway. The sod and topsoil came down directly onto the natural boulder clay at an average depth of 0.2–0.25m. No archaeological features or material were exposed. This feature is clearly marked as an old field boundary on the Ordnance Survey map. It is of no archaeological significance, and no further archaeological work was deemed necessary.

Site D, Dunmoe
A trench was excavated through a spread of nettles that had been identified as a possible archaeological feature within the land-take of the proposed road. This trench was excavated north-east to south-west and exposed the natural boulder clay at an average depth of 0.15–0.2m below a layer of sod. A small dump of manure immediately on top of the sod probably accounts for the growth of the nettles. The site is of no archaeological significance, and no further work was recommended.

The excavation of trenches within the four sites revealed that there are no known features of archaeological significance along the proposed route of the new road. All four sites proved to be archaeologically sterile, and no further archaeological work is required. Monitoring of the entire road realignment has been requested by Dúchas.

15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth