County: Louth Site name: DROGHEDA: Rathmullan Road
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E0507 and ext.
Author: David Bayley, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 706428m, N 775017m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.713973, -6.387696
Initial pre-development testing was undertaken at Rathmullan, Drogheda, Co. Louth, on 27 April 2004, using an eighteen-tonne tracked machine equipped with a toothless grading bucket. Twenty-seven trenches were excavated across the development area, many of which were specifically placed to target potential archaeological features that were identified during a geophysical testing programme that was undertaken prior to testing.
The geophysical testing results indicated a possible enclosure in the north-west of the proposed development area, but this area was not tested during the initial testing programme. When nothing of archaeological significance was identified in the first phase of testing, it was decided to hand-excavate two test-trenches across the possible enclosure. This was carried out between 27 May and 1 June 2004. One trench was excavated across the western part of the possible enclosure, while the other was excavated across the eastern part. It was later decided to join the two hand-excavated trenches using a five-tonne mini-digger equipped with a flat, toothless bucket. The mini-digger was also used to open two small areas around two potential internal features that were identified during the geophysical survey.
A ditch feature was recorded in the western trench. It measured 2.92m in width and was 0.84m deep. It was oriented north-south and its location tied in with the possible enclosure identified during the geophysical survey. No datable material was recovered from the fill, but a quantity of disarticulated animal bone was recovered.
On excavation of the trench over the eastern part of the potential enclosure, no archaeological features were immediately apparent. The trench was left open for a period of four days and was repeatedly trowelled during this period, but nothing of an archaeological nature was identified. No archaeological features were identified in the mechanically excavated trench across the interior of the enclosure.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dœn Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
