2007:1370 - Phoenixtown 4, Meath

This site was located within Contract 4 (Navan–Kells and Kells bypass) of the M3 Clonee to North of Kells motorway scheme and was identified during testing carried out by Sian Keith (IAC Ltd) in 2004 (Excavations 2004, No. 1311, 04E0926). It was excavated between 18 and 26 January 2007 and consisted of a small area of post-medieval activity, centred on two red-brick-built furnaces or kilns. These features essentially resembled two stone-flag-based and brick-built fireplaces, side by side and facing the north-west. No obvious function was apparent, although three fragments of glass tubing were found in the ashy fill of the features. While many possible explanations for the site exist, the presence of the glass tubing, measuring c. 10mm diameter, has led the excavator to suggest that this site may possibly represent a poitín still. It is hoped to find a conclusive explanation for this site by attempting to identify exactly what the glass tubes came from. A spread of associated waste material found beside the furnaces or fireplaces produced a George III coin with a date of 1805 still visible. Taking this and other factors such as the brick type into account, it seems reasonable to assume that the site is 19th-century in date, dating to sometime after 1805.
This work was funded by Meath County Council and the National Roads Authority.