County: Meath Site name: CAUSETOWN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E0608
Author: Breand‡n î R’ord‡in, Burgage More, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, for Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 689511m, N 773135m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.700234, -6.644423
Monitoring of topsoil-stripping was undertaken in connection with the construction and development of the Gorman 220kV station at Causetown, Stackallen, on behalf of BSG/ESB.
Three features of archaeological interest were encountered. A spread of fire-shattered stones and charcoal measuring 12m by 12m were discovered outside the immediate area of development on the site. Following consultation, it was agreed that the site, a probable fulacht fiadh, should be preserved.
Topsoil-stripping of the south-eastern area of the field close to a boundary ditch and a stream indicated some slight evidence of the former existence of a probable fulacht fiadh site (Site 2). However, the disturbance of the terrain arising from earlier cultivation and installation of stone-lined drains in this area had led to the total degradation of the original site.
Further mechanical stripping of topsoil towards the north-west of the site, in Field 12, revealed evidence of burnt soil, some charcoal and small quantities of finely comminuted bone. This site, Site 3, was subsequently excavated by Thaddeus Breen (No. 1204 below, 04E0862).
