2016:370 - TOWNPARKS, Meath

Archaeological monitoring was carried out at the site of the proposed Eureka Secondary School, a 4.32 hectare green-field site in Kells, Co. Meath, following the discovery of a stone lined well in the course of construction works. The well was 1.15m in diameter by 3.2m deep. It was a drystone structure, lined with un-bonded angular and sub angular stones (avg. 0.25 x 0.2 x 0.15m). No datable artefacts were noted in association with the well. It was located adjacent to and under a proposed playing pitch within the school site. The proposed finished level for the playing surface at this location will be at 85.650m OD, providing a buffer of 2.766m between the top of the well and the proposed ground level. Following consultation with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, a proposal to preserve the well in-situ was accepted. Licensed archaeological monitoring ensured the methodology for preservation-in-situ was followed.