County: Meath Site name: Calliaghstown 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A030/002, E3163
Author: Audrey Gahan, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda.
Site type: Ringforts
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 672249m, N 774608m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.716148, -6.905442
This site was located within Contract 5 (Kells to north of Kells) of the proposed M3 Clonee to north of Kells motorway and was identified during advance testing by Gill McLoughlin (Excavations 2004, No. 1194, 04E1052). Full resolution took place between October and November 2006 and the site was divided into two areas: 1A and 1B.
Excavation of 1A revealed a small ringfort (10–12m radius, c. 40m diameter), which enclosed the higher ground on the site. Only part of the ringfort fell within the land-take of the proposed road. There was evidence for deliberate backfilling before the ditch was recut. The ditch was possibly recut a second time.
Half of a ringfort (c. 50m diameter) was discovered within Area 1B, with the remainder extending beyond the land-take of the proposed road. As at 1A, it enclosed the higher ground on the site (which is located in a natural low-lying basin). The ditch appears to have been backfilled and the bank levelled. The only finds from the lower fills consist of twigs (possibly wattling). All other artefacts are from the upper fill of the ditch. Animal bone is scarce. Several large pits are cut into the backfilled ditch.
