2012:414 - N52 ARDEE BYPASS, Louth

This bulletin presents the results of Stage (i) Test Excavation Services and Stage (ii) Pre-Excavation Services carried out on behalf of Louth County Council. The works were undertaken as part of the Archaeological Services Contract prior to the commencement of construction works associated with the N52 Ardee Bypass. Following a constraint study and a route selection report an Environmental Impact Study was carried out on the preferred route, including chapters on the archaeological and architectural heritage (VJK Ltd 2001). Subsequently a phase of pre-CPO testing on enclosure LH014-043 at Mullanstown and its environs only by IAC Ltd resulted in the proposed N52 road being moved off the RMP site. However, human remains were noted in the location of Area 10.2 and it was not possible to move the road from this zone. The remains consisted of a single individual (a human skull was exposed) and it is not known if this individual is part of a larger cemetery or is an outlying post-medieval burial to the main cemetery area of LH014-043.

A number of archaeological and architectural heritage constraints were identified along the route of the road but the only known archaeological site along the route is a medieval cemetery and possible ecclesiastical enclosure at Mullanstown.

Stage (i) Test Excavation and Survey Services on the scheme were carried out between 22 October and 7 November 2012. Stage (i)k works involving the removal of topsoil near a known or suspected monument were carried out between 1 and 7 November 2012. A total of 5600m² were stripped of topsoil in an area north and north-east of the medieval ecclesiastical enclosure and cemetery. Archaeological features were identified and the site has been called Mullanstown 1. Standard test trenching of Area 10.1 were also carried out under this licence. The director was assisted in all of the test trenching and monitoring works by osteoarchaeologist Carmelita Troy.

Stage (i)a standard test excavation in other areas and Stage (i)c test excavations in wetland were also carried out on this scheme. Two archaeological areas –Ballygowan 1 and Boharnamoe 1 – were identified during this testing and Stage (ii) pre-excavation services were carried out in these areas (Excavations 2012 No. 413, 12E0374).

The proposed road would have a direct profound impact on the archaeological features identified during Stage (i)k investigation at Mullanstown 1. It is recommended that Mullanstown 1 should be fully excavated in advance of any construction works on the scheme.