2001:1013 - MOORECHURCH 1, Moorechurch, Meath

The site was exposed in the townland of Moorechurch at chainage 14280 during monitoring of topsoil-stripping carried out by Markus Casey (01E0090) during groundworks associated with the construction of Contract 7 of the Northern Motorway Road Project.

The sod and topsoil measured 0.38m in thickness and directly overlay the orange boulder clay and three further natural features. Four post-medieval field drains were also exposed—two cut the burnt mound, the third was exposed to the west and the fourth was to the south-west. The burnt mound was exposed directly below the sod and topsoil and overlay a possible trough, one deposit and eighteen pits. In addition, a total of nineteen outlying pits and one possible trough were also exposed to the south-east and west of the burnt mound. Two radiocarbon determinations were obtained which dated the site to the Neolithic (3980–3660 cal. BC, 3630–3330 cal. BC, 3220–3180, 3160–3130).

The possible trough exposed to the east of the site extended into the adjacent field outside the motorway corridor and consisted of a large shallow pit. The numerous pits exposed around the possible trough are likely to have been used for either refuse or storage. The outlying area to the south also contained at least one trough which contained the remains of a stone lining at the base. Pit F034 was exposed below the trough fill and may have functioned as a possible post-hole associated with the trough, although no further post-/stake-holes were exposed. The large pit F089 may also have functioned as a possible trough. Both troughs were found in association with a large number of pits. Three additional outlying pits were also exposed to the north-west, which were also associated with the fulacht.

21 Boyne Business Park, Drogheda, Co. Louth