County: Westmeath Site name: PORTNASHANGAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WM012–087 Licence number: 09E0423
Author: Fran Wilkinson, Tempus Archaeology, Cregg, Craughwell, Co. Galway.
Site type: Earthwork
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 640876m, N 759912m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.587484, -7.382628
The test-trenching at the site of an earthwork at Portnashangan, near Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, was undertaken on behalf of Westmeath County Council as part of the route selection process for the N4 Mullingar Longford (Roosky) scheme. The western extent of an earthwork, WM012–087, lies along one of the potential route corridors being assessed for the proposed new section of the N4.
Following completion of geophysical survey at the site in August 2009, test-trenching was carried out in order to locate and investigate a series of magnetic anomalies of potential archaeological significance identified during the survey and, more broadly, to assess the character and potential date of possible subsurface remains.
Nine test-trenches, comprising a total of 403 linear metres, were excavated at the site of the earthwork. A total of 33 separate features were identified during testing at the site. The majority of these appear to be of archaeological significance and include two enclosure ditches, as well as a third, smaller, ditch situated within the interior of the earthwork. Other features identified within its interior include several burnt areas/spreads, and a possible palisade trench and bowl furnace. An L-shaped drystone wall and the remains of a number of possible ditches were also identified outside the enclosure. Animal bone was retrieved from the three ditches sectioned as part of this work, and an iron awl or punch of possible early medieval date was found in the basal fill of the ^central ditch’. Although no other significant artefacts were discovered during the course of these works, the large size and morphology of the site, coupled with the substantial character of its enclosing ditches, suggest that this was a site of considerable importance. While further work is clearly required to determine the date, function and significance of the site, the available evidence raises the possibility that it may be the location of a destroyed (bivallate) ringfort. This is perhaps supported by its close proximity to a medieval abbey (WM012–087) that may itself have been the site of an earlier church.
