County: Westmeath Site name: Rathconnell and Macetown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 10E0143
Author: Dave Bayley, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Burnt mounds
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 647455m, N 755698m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.549062, -7.283902
Testing was undertaken in advance of the N52 Rathconnell to Macetown scheme, Co. Westmeath. The work was undertaken on behalf of Westmeath County Council and took place between 22 and 31 June 2010.
A total of 2701 linear metres were excavated within the four areas to be tested (Areas 1–4). Six sites of archaeological significance (Rathconnell 1–6) were identified, all of which comprised burnt mounds. Rathconnell 1–5 were clustered over an 80m area in the dryland/wetland interface and may have formed a distinct complex of activity or else prolonged use of the same area over a period of time. Rathconnell 5 was located on a local high spot within the bog. Rathconnell 6 was located approximately 420m to the west of the above complex. These types of sites and the activity associated with them reflect the wet and marginal nature of the ground through which the scheme runs. These burnt mounds were later excavated by James Kyle of IAC Ltd (see Nos 671–2 below).
