County: Meath Site name: KNIGHTSBROOK RIVER, Laracor
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04D018
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd.
Site type: Bridge
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 680416m, N 753830m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.528270, -6.787106
Visual inspection and magnetometer survey by handheld metal detection were employed to assess the archaeological potential of the riverbed and associated bank structures 60m upstream and 60m downstream of Kinghtsbrook Bridge, Laracor, Summerhill, Co. Meath. This work was undertaken prior to the R158 roadway realignment scheme. Sites identified within the immediate survey area included Site AH7 (Knightsbrook Bridge structure), Site 1A (weir/fording point) and Site 1B (flood alleviation feature). Also, the river runs near to Site 2 (linear earthworks) and Site 3 (SMR 36:43, motte/tumulus), c. 160m to the north. The Knightsbrook Bridge structure comprises three archways of differing build quality, the third arch being a later addition. The bridge is relatively narrow at 6.18m (20.27ft), a common feature of early bridge structures. However, the build quality and segmental multi-arches point to a post-1775 date. The bridge, in its entirety, is considered to be an 18th-century construction. All sites were recorded using total station survey plus photographic and written record. Knightsbrook Bridge was recorded in plan, in elevation and in photo-mosaic elevation. The assessment was undertaken on 21 June 2004. Subsequent land excavations (No. 1280, Excavations 2004, 04E0987) were undertaken by Thaddeus Breen in the townland of Laracor, adjacent to Knightsbrook River.
Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny