2007:1878 - Ballymore, Westmeath

This development is within the zone of potential for a number of medieval sites at Ballymore, Co. Westmeath. A geophysical survey undertaken in October 2007 uncovered no features or finds. Testing has uncovered a large number of features. These include a number of pits and linear features whose exact form and function could not be determined by testing alone. A large ditch uncovered in Trenches 1–2 (F3 and F14) may be part of an enclosing feature; its full extent was not uncovered. This feature included a sherd of medieval pottery from the base of the trench, indicating a pre-1400 date for the ditch. Two other sherds of medieval pottery were uncovered in F2 and F9. It can be presumed that the majority of features uncovered as part of the testing are also medieval in date as they are at a similar depth to the dated features and are of a similar fill and form. All of the features are at a depth and have been covered in humic topsoil of up to 1m in depth. The features may be associated with the Norman settlement of the area. A motte and bailey was erected in Ballymore to administer the county. The features outlined above may be extramural settlement associated with this phase of activity in the area.