2008:1263 - Newdown, Westmeath

Testing was undertaken on the site of a suspected fulacht fiadh/burnt mound on behalf of Westmeath County Council as part of the N4 The Downs grade separation scheme. The site lay 11km east of Mullingar and 0.34km north of the N4 at The Downs, Newdown, Co. Westmeath.
Testing was designed to access the remains or otherwise of a suspected fulacht fiadh/burnt mound recognised through aerial photography and further substantiated by field inspection. Prior to testing a geophysical survey was carried out on this site by Target Archaeological Geophysics. The results of this survey were inconclusive.
Three possible enclosures listed in the RMP files (WM027–001, WM027–002 and WM027–004) lay in close proximity to the testing area. WM027–001 was located 0.32km due north, WM027–002 was located c. 0.5km to the south-east and WM027–004 0.5km to the south.
The removal of 0.4m of topsoil, in three trenches, revealed a deposit of heat-affected stone and charcoal in a matrix of blackish-brown clayey silt. This measured 4m in diameter and 0.2m in height. Several small outlying deposits of similar material were also noted.
Two other areas were also tested during this project. The first (see No. 1264 below, 08E0326) was designed to test for archaeological remains associated with WM027–001 (an enclosure). This revealed two concentric subcircular ditches and a probable hearth. The second (see No. 1262 above, 08E0324) was designed to test for archaeological remains associated with WM027–004 (an enclosure). This revealed the remains of a subcircular ditch.
The findings on the present site concur with the pre-excavation suspicion based on aerial photography and field inspection that the remains of a fulacht fiadh/burnt mound, although heavily disturbed, are located here.