2016:379 - Ballybatter or Balreask New, Balreask Old, Kilcarn Old Town, Meath

Historical sources indicate a bridge crossing-point in this location since the second half of the 16th century. The standing bridge has been widened on its upstream side and evidence of phasing is clear in the stonework. Wicker-centring survived under the arches, and other elements of the build process were clear. Rehabilitation works in 2016 commissioned by and for Meath County Council required the insertion of new reinforced concrete girdles to a series of the in-water bridge piers, and general repointing and maintenance works. The work was monitored archaeologically by the project team Niall Brady and Dan Lenehan. Niall Roycroft from Meath CC rendered much useful assistance.

A series of cofferdams was constructed around the in-water piers, providing access when de-watered. The bridge was founded directly on bedrock, which is exposed in a series of veins that run almost parallel with the river channel. The central piers are spaced more widely apart than the those at and close to the river banks. The work observed that this feature of wider arches is the result of re-design, and that originally the bridge would have held a series of uniform and closely-spaced narrow arches. The base of one such pier was exposed and recorded beneath a central arch.

A series of objects were recovered from under the bridge during the monitoring operations, including coins and several munitions. The recovery of a Martini Henry rifle (early 1900s) and an Agram 2000 sub-machine gun (1990s) occasioned a visit from An Gardaí, who removed the pieces.

The project proved to be very useful and rewarding and provided the opportunity to study the bridge construction and its later redesigns in detail. No timberwork was observed, either by way of shoring or piling; the whole bridge it appears was built directly on bedrock. 

Archaeological Diving Company Ltd, Beverley Studios, Church Terrace, Bray, Co. Wicklow