2001:1030 - RATHMULLAN: Site 1, Meath

Site 1, Rathmullan, was identified during monitoring along the route of the Northern Motorway, Gormanston–Monasterboice, Contract 7. It was immediately south of the Donore Road at the western edge of the motorway way-leave. The area of excavation measured approximately 11m east–west (maximum) by 10m (maximum). Prior to excavation the site consisted of farmland. All topsoil and ploughsoil were removed by machine in advance of excavation.

The earliest evidence for activity consisted of a ditch aligned roughly north–south. From the southern terminus it ran northwards for 3.2m before turning in a north-west direction. It then curved gradually into a northern direction again. The total excavated length of the ditch was 8.4m. It was deepest and widest at the northern end (0.3m deep x 0.8m wide) and became shallower to the south (0.14m deep). At the southern terminus was a post-hole 0.42m in diameter and 0.2m deep.

The next phase of activity consisted of a post-medieval east–west-aligned field drain. The cut for the drain was 8.5m long within the site limits, but it continued beyond the western boundary. It was 0.4m wide and had a maximum recorded depth of 0.2m. The sides were almost vertically cut and broke into a shallow concave base. It truncated the north–south-aligned ditch (above) 1.2m from its southern terminus.

The fill of this drain consisted of subangular and subrounded stones with average dimensions of 0.22m by 0.18m by 0.08m. These stones were poorly sorted and were not regularly placed in the cut. Mixed between the stones was a mid-brown silty clay. The fill contained lumps of red brick and sherds of post-medieval pottery.

Post-excavation analysis is ongoing. The project was funded by Meath County Council.

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