2006:2060 - Blackhall Place, Mullingar, Westmeath

Initial excavations at this site in 2003 revealed the presence of 150 human burials, most of which were simple inhumations (Excavations 2003, No. 1992). Medieval floor tiles and cut pieces of masonry were also discovered. It is likely that the remains at this site are linked to the 13th-century Dominican priory that was located immediately to the south of the development area.
In early 2006 monitoring was carried out at the site under an extension to the original licence. The monitored area measured c. 12m by 8.5m and was stripped to a depth of 0.3m. The material removed consisted of a disturbed context comprised of modern construction material containing red-brick fragments, building rubble and mortar, mixed with post-medieval soils. A stem of a clay pipe and glazed pottery attest a late date. Patches of soft dark-brown sandy soil containing disarticulated bone (both animal and human) and disintegrating mortar, which possibly represents disturbed late medieval and post-medieval material, were also noted. Several large neatly cut stone blocks (average size 0.4m by 0.25m by 0.25m) were also noted in the fill. Disarticulated bone was collected from the entire area and is likely to reflect the disturbed material from the cemetery that was previously recorded adjacent to this area.
In the north-west of the area this overburden was removed to reveal an orange compacted silty layer. At a depth of 0.3m, the top tier of a wall, running east–west, was partially exposed in the west of the area. The wall extended for 2m, with a width of 0.4m. It was composed of roughly worked limestone blocks with an inner and outer facing and a rubble core. The stone of the wall bore traces of mortar and was associated with a compacted, yet clearly disturbed, mortar-rich layer to the south, suggesting an interior/room in this area. These architectural remains possibly represent the stone foundations of the house that was demolished on site.