2004:1232 - DUNBOYNE/PACE/ WOODPARK (Testing Area 6), Meath

An assessment of M3 Contract 1 (Clonee–Dunshaughlin), Testing Area 6, along the proposed route of the mainline (Chainage 1850–3100), Bracetown Road (Chainage 1900–2500) and Black Bull link road was requested by Meath County Council. The site was the location of the proposed Pace grade separated junction and was situated in the townlands of Dunboyne, Pace and a detached part of Woodpark. The area comprised twelve separate fields. A geophysical survey suggested the area had limited potential to contain archaeological sites.

A total of 119 test-trenches were excavated through the area, with a combined length of 7727m (resulting in a total excavated area of 16,613m2). The assessment determined that some of the anomalies recorded in the geophysical survey were archaeological in nature. In total, five sites were uncovered during the assessment.

Pace 1 was a disturbed circular spread of heat-fractured stone and charcoal c. 5.6m in diameter. There were no discernible associated features, which were probably obscured by the spread.

Pace 2 comprised the remains of a 19th-century dwelling and associated yard. The red-brick and stone structure is marked but not detailed on Taylor's 1816 map of the environs of Dublin. It measured c. 5m by 9m and was equally divided internally into two separate rooms. The walls survived to a height of 0.4m. A small yard, c. 7m by 7m, was located to the rear of this building.

Pace 3 comprised two circular post-holes, 0.25m in diameter and 0.11m deep. There was no obvious sign of further remains in the area, but the two features were located next to the CPO line. It is possible that further remains exist beyond the road-take.

Dunboyne 2 was a group of linear features, pits and post-holes at the edge of a significantly quarried area. Many of the features could not be dated through testing. One drain feature, however, produced a number of local medieval fabrics. This feature was parallel to the former Dunboyne-Navan road and may originally have defined medieval properties fronting onto the road. The relationship of this drain and the remaining features was unclear, due to the damage caused by quarrying.

Dunboyne 3 was a group of features of Neolithic date. The principal feature was a kidney-shaped pit that contained charcoal, cremated bone, sherds of Neolithic pottery and a flint blade. The pit was flanked by a number of shallow circular features, possibly post-holes, but no discernible pattern was noted. The features lay next to a hedge that separated them from a large quarried area. Additional trenching did not identify further remains and it is likely that any associated features lie beyond the road-take or within the former quarry.

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