2015:605 - Irish Street/Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, Meath

Archaeological testing was carried out for a proposed development of a detached residential dwelling on Irish Street, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, Co. Meath. The report has been compiled in compliance with Condition No. 7 on Schedule of Conditions associated with this planning. There are no recorded archaeological sites within the immediate vicinity of the proposed development.
The area for development is within the zone of the Historic Town of Ratoath, ME044:034. The site is located c.350m south-west of the historic core of the village, which centres around the Anglo-Norman motte ME044:034001.
The proposed development area consists of a rectangular green field plot with dilapidated farm sheds near the street front. There is a small stream/river (Broadmeadow River) at the rear of the two plots. The proposed residential dwelling consists of a detached dormer-style dwelling set back c.14m from the street front.
Five test trenches measuring 10m in length x 1m in width were excavated across the area. Test trenches 2-5 indicated that a considerable amount of topsoil had already been stripped off the front part of the site some time ago. Trench 1 indicates there has been little or no previous ground disturbance over the rear area of this site.
Given the urban nature of the site the absence of even 18th/19th-century material within the topsoil layer and other soil horizons encountered indicates this site has had very little or no ground disturbance in the past apart from topsoil removal in the farmyard area and construction of sheds.
No archaeological finds, features or deposits were encountered during the course of excavation of the archaeological test trenches. No further recommendations were considered necessary for development area.

Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo