County: Dublin Site name: Ratoath
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME044-034 Licence number: 18E0005 ext.
Author: Gill McLoughlin
Site type: Medieval ditches
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 701583m, N 751989m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.508065, -6.468572
Based on the results of the test excavation at the site in January 2018 an area measuring 10.5m north-south x 22.5m was opened for full excavation. This commenced on 12 March 2018 with a team of three archaeologists and was completed on 25 March 2018.
The archaeological features identified within the excavation area comprised a series of linear features, most likely to represent drainage activity and some of them may also have represented property boundary plots. Frequent animal bone and medieval pottery sherds were recovered from most of the features which represent the remains of medieval activity on the western fringes of Ratoath village. The first edition OS map depicts linear plots oriented north-north-east/south-south-west fronting onto the north side of the Ratoath to Dunshaughlin Road. These plots represent the remnants of medieval burgage plots and the remains identified during the excavation indicate that these burgage plots are also likely to have been present on the south side of the road.
At the time of writing the project is on hold, however monitoring still is required when an existing house on the site is demolished to make way for the construction of two new houses.
Preservation in situ was proposed for further archaeological remains identified during testing at the rear of the site, which will be gardens. Terram was laid on the existing ground surface in this area and the level built up with soil taken from the excavation area.
C/o Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy, Lynwood House, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16
