County: Meath Site name: MOYNALTY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME011-014 Licence number: 04E1457
Author: Brian Halpin, National Archaeological Services
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 673428m, N 782822m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.789784, -6.885629
Testing was carried out on 26 and 27 October 2004 as part of a pre-planning investigation in advance of the construction of eight to ten houses with associated gardens in Moynalty, Co. Meath. The site of the proposed development is within the zone of archaeological potential of a motte and bailey. Seven test-trenches were excavated across the site using a track machine with a 1m-wide flat toothless bucket. Nothing of an archaeological nature was uncovered.
A possible previously unknown site of archaeological interest was identified on the site development lands. It consists of a circular feature measuring 14m in diameter that contains a slight ditch/depression running continuously just within the perimeter of the circle. This slight depression is 0.9m in width and is the main visual aspect of the feature. It is possible that this may be the remains of a prehistoric barrow or ceremonial enclosure. It is also possible that the feature is of a modern date. Local knowledge of the feature describes it as a 'pony ring'. This is a circular depression left in the ground when one trains a pony to run in a circular route for training or general exercising of the animal.
Ard Solas, Lacken, Co. Wicklow
