2005:1542 - DEMESNE OR MEARSPARKFARM 8.1–8.3, Westmeath

Testing along one section of the planned N6 Athlone–Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath, was undertaken on behalf of Westmeath County Council and the National Roads Authority between 7 December 2004 and 23 January 2005. A site consisting of a spread of burnt-mound material was identified during testing. This site was positioned at the easternmost location within this townland. It occupied a topographically higher position than the other sites in this area (75m OD), all of which ran in an east–west direction along this transect through the landscape. Sited at a marginal location between low-lying, boggy marshland and higher pastureland, c. 45m separated this site and Demesne or Mearsparkfarm 7.1 and 7.2 (see Nos 1540 and 1541 above) to its east.
Archaeological investigation of this site revealed two adjoining spreads of burnt-mound material with an additional smaller spread to the west. Removal of these deposits revealed at least three if not four rectangular-shaped troughs and numerous stake-holes, as well as a large circular pit. It would appear that this feature was the remains of a water hole, which had been deliberately excavated to the level of the water table and provided the main source of water for the site. A network of stake-holes was present to the south-west of this water hole and comprised 55 stake-holes aligned in a roughly north–south direction. It is likely that these are the remnants of some form of windbreak, which may have been reconstructed on several occasions. The troughs were also aligned in a roughly north–south direction and were all confined to within a 10m2 area. A roughly penannular alignment of post-holes was also uncovered at the eastern corner of the site. Although no finds or environmental remains were found in association with these, it is quite possible that they constituted the basal remains of a structure in that area.