County: Meath Site name: KILLEEN CASTLE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME038–012 Licence number: 05E0414 ext.
Author: Christine Baker, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Castle - tower house
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 693746m, N 754520m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.532266, -6.585915
Located immediately north of Killeen Castle, features of archaeological origin had been identified through test excavation within the approved hotel footprint. Subsequently the majority of the hotel footprint was subject to an extensive excavation (Excavations 2005, No. 1198, 04E0414 ext., Phases I–III). However, the northern limit of the hotel footprint was previously inaccessible and was subsequently monitored (2006).
An area c. 40m north–south by c. 40m was stripped. Topsoil depth varied from 0.5 to 1.2m and varied from orange/brown to dark-brown loamy clay reflecting the sloping topography and extensive tree cover (western limit). Two features extended into this area from the castle ditch site excavation. A medieval ditch was identified in the south-western quadrant; exposed for 6.5m north–south, it was truncated along the southern limit by the insertion of a manhole. Similarly, a medieval ditch was partially visible for 5m north–south of the southern limit, where it was truncated by a lintelled drain. The remainder of the monitored area had been truncated by the insertion of modern pipes, electricity and drainage and dotted with tree boles. No further archaeological features were identified.
27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
