County: Meath Site name: MATTOCK RIVER, Starinagh, Co. Meath and Coolfore, Co. Louth
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02D0081
Author: Aisling Collins, CRDS Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 700840m, N 780207m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.761699, -6.470627
A non-intrusive inspection of the riverbed surrounding and contained within the proposed development area was carried out in September 2002. The proposed development was a bridge crossing the river. Topography and riverbed composition were noted and any archaeological features and areas of high potential were also recorded. A metal-detection search of the area was also undertaken.
The existing bridge is located on a laneway running south-west from the R168 road, c. 3km from Collon. The Mattock River forms the boundary between the counties of Louth and Meath and the bridge lies in both the townlands of Starinagh, Co. Meath, and Coolfore, Co. Louth.
A substantial mill-race is marked on the first-edition OS map (1837). Stretches of this are still visible to the north of the site. This is not in the direct vicinity of the proposed development and therefore will not be directly affected.
A fording point is marked close to the location of the present bridge on the first-edition OS map. Examination of the riverbed showed a band of bedrock visible just below the surface of the water stretching across the river from bank to bank immediately to the south of the existing bridge, which may have formed the original fording point. This measured c. 2–3m in width and 5m in length. It appears to be completely natural. No archaeological features or finds were revealed.
Unit 4, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14
