County: Meath Site name: Main Street/Larrix Street, Duleek
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME027–038 Licence number: 08E0592
Author: Stuart D. Elder, for CRDS Ltd, Greenanstown, Stamullen, Co. Meath.
Site type: Monastic precinct/medieval town
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 704566m, N 768346m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.654427, -6.418134
A programme of trenching on the proposed route of the Meath bundled wastewater scheme, Duleek, was undertaken in 2008 following on from test-pitting by Richard Clutterbuck the previous year (Excavations 2007, No. 1309, 07E0927). Trenching of the route of the pipeline commenced on 30 June, from the junction of Larrix Street and Main Street, continuing northwards away from the town centre towards the river. Trenching westwards along Main Street towards the junction with Larrix Street commenced on 29 July.
Archaeological deposits, which included metalled surfaces, most likely former road surfaces, were found on Main Street, Larrix Street and Downestown Road. Significant archaeological features and deposits were found at several locations on Main Street and Larrix Street, and were excavated in their entirety within the confines of the trench. A trench in a field off Larrix Street contained a ditch and bank of potential medieval date, and other related features within the monastic enclosure around St Cianan’s Church. On Main Street, a series of post-medieval pits were excavated.
The full extent of archaeological features could not be ascertained; there was limited or no scope for extending the investigation trenches on the roads and the depth of the trenches was limited for health and safety reasons.
