2001:985 - KILSHARVAN, Meath

Archaeological assessment and pre-development test-trenching were carried out in advance of the planned works associated with the construction of the M1 motorway at Kilsharvan, Co. Meath. The road cut through the north-east corner of Kilsharvan demesne, taking in a derelict gatelodge and 130m of a track which runs along the east side of the demesne boundary. A stream running along the east side of the lane marked the townland boundary. In advance of the development, Dúchas requested a full survey, recording and test-trenching of the townland and demesne boundary, track and gatelodge, and a metal-detecting survey of the section of the track. The track gave access to the River Nanny and a disused mill-race, and also crossed two stone bridges to give access to New Haggard House on the south side of the river. It was approximately 2.5m in width and was bounded by a water-filled ditch on the opposite side to the stream. The metal-detecting survey revealed nothing of archaeological interest.

A church and graveyard (SMR 27:9) lie 350m to the west of the gatelodge. In 1182 its tithes were allocated to the Augustinian monastery at Colpe, the Irish cell of the Welsh abbey of Llanthony Prima (McCullen 1988/9, 68). The Civil Survey of 1654–6 lists a church and a mill in the townland of Kilsharvan (Kilcarvan). The first reference to Kilsharvan House is in the Ordnance Survey Field Name Books for County Meath (1836). They also note the presence of a bleach green and mill. The bleach green to the rear of the house contains a circular watch-tower (Casey and Rowan 1993, 164; McCullen 1988/9, 69). Two partly destroyed examples are present in the trees in the perimeter of the field close to the track. There was a spring close to one of these, 75m from the lodge, which had rough steps down to it. The run-off from the spring was channelled into a shallow paved area in the ditch between the track and boundary, and steps had also been made down to this from the track. These features were covered over by decayed vegetation and were not visible prior to cleaning. The latter feature may have served as a water source for the lodge; it was destroyed by the roadworks but was planned and photographed prior to this, as were all other features.

Test excavation of three trenches across the line of the bank, ditches and track was carried out by a mechanical digger, with hand-cleaning of the lower levels. The demesne boundary consisted of a sloping drystone wall constructed of random rubble brought to rough courses, measuring 0.4–1m in height and built against an earthen bank. The bank was built on a slope, with the fall of the ground towards the track and the stream. It was sectioned in three places and averaged 3m in width and was 2m above the base of the ditch. The stream was culverted under the gatelodge; the north end of the culvert consisted of a square-headed opening with a stone lintel and relieving arch, while the south end consisted only of a stone lintel. The remains of the stone gatelodge were cleared of vegetation and fully surveyed prior to its demolition. The lodge was constructed of random rubble brought to rough courses with some inclusions of red brick. There is evidence for external render and internal plaster. The side walls of the lodge were battered at the base.

References
Casey, C. and Rowan, A. 1993 The buildings of Ireland: north Leinster. London.
McCullen, J. 1988/9 Gravestone inscriptions at Kilsharvan. Ríocht na Midhe 8 (2), 68–93.

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