2019:109 - Kilbeggan, Westmeath

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Westmeath Site name: Kilbeggan

Sites and Monuments Record No.: WM038-017 Licence number: 18E0294

Author: Mary Henry

Site type: No archaeology found

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 633462m, N 735664m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.370106, -7.497186

As part of the planning permission process, a programme of testing was undertaken on the site of a dwelling house, garage and driveway on a vacant plot fronting Mullingar Road, Kilbeggan. The site is situated c. 200m north of the centre of Kilbeggan town. It is sandwiched between two archaeological monuments: the Historic Town of Kilbeggan (WM038-017) and a water mill (WM038-017008). As part of an archaeological impact assessment, four test trenches were opened on the site; two on the imprint of the house, one on the garage site and one on the front driveway.

No archaeological features or deposits were identified in any of the four test trenches opened. However, it was noticeable that areas within the site had been raised by importing infill. This modern infill was deeper towards the rear of the site, i.e. in the section of trenches nearest to the river. It is considered such infilling was most likely a flood alleviation measure due to the close presence of the river Brosna. This is reflected in the levels for the occurrence of the natural deposition which rose from west to east and from north to south towards the south-east corner, emphasising the natural slope of the land.

17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary