2016:557 - Site 3 (Field 10), Portan, Meath

Monitoring of topsoil stripping associated with the development of a data centre at Clonee, Co. Meath commenced in December 2015 and is currently (September 2017) ongoing. The site is situated c. 120m north of the village of Clonee in the townlands of Clonee, Portan and Gunnocks. The site comprised of 14 field of pasture and 4 arable fields bound to the east by the River Pinkeen, which also forms the Meath-Dublin County boundary. Monitoring is being carried out under licence 15E0577, directed by David Bayley, in response to planning conditions attached to the development. Monitoring follows on from previous geophysical survey (licence 15R0005) and test trenching with metal detection (licence 15E0109 and 15E0028).

Two burnt mound sites (Site 1 and 2) were identified as a result of these investigations which were subsequently excavated under licence 15E0583 by Paul Duffy in February and March 2016.

A number of archaeological features have been identified during monitoring to date across the site for which separate licence numbers have been granted to undertake subsequent excavation. 

Site 3 was identified  during monitoringas a single pit within the route of a haul road in Field 10, Portan, in January 2016. The pit measured c. 1.25m x 0.9m x 0.25m and was oriented south-east/north-west. The feature was partially truncated during the excavation of a linear drainage gully measuring c. 1.2m in width. Two layers of charcoal-rich material were present which may suggest distinct episodes of burning. Excavation confirmed that this was a pit containing burnt material in its base rather than a kiln. No dateable material was recovered. Additional stripping of the topsoil within the vicinity of this feature indicated no further archaeological features within the proximity.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow