County: Westmeath Site name: Rathconnell 1–5
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 10E0468
Author: James Kyle, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Site type: Burnt mounds
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 647825m, N 755803m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.549981, -7.278304
Rathconnell 1–5 were identified as burnt mounds during the Phase (i) testing undertaken by Dave Bayley (IAC Ltd) (see No. 670 above) within the footprint of the proposed N52 Rathconnell to Macetown road scheme. The sites were excavated in November 2010. A further site identified during testing (Rathconnell 6) was located c. 420m to the west of Rathconnell 1–5.
Rathconnell 1–5 comprised a total of four spreads, three troughs, two mounds and a hearth. The sites were clustered over an 80m area in the dryland/wetland interface and 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. It is hoped that the phasing of Rathconnell 1–5 will be clarified following specialist analysis and radiocarbon dating.
