2019:783 - St Beccan’s Church and Graveyard, Kilbeggan, Westmeath

Monitoring was carried out at St Beccan’s Church and Graveyard, Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath, which contains three Recorded Monuments, WM038-017006 (church), WM038-017013 (graveyard) and WM038-017014 (graveslab). The site is also located within the historic town of Kilbeggan (WM038-017).
In line with recommendations issued by the National Monuments Service (Ref: NM03907), the following tasks were undertaken under licence:

•An archaeological examination of the removed soils and demolition debris in the south-western area of the site for possible finds and early architectural fragments.

•Manual excavation by licensed archaeologist of post-holes for proposed security fence around the church bell tower.

The investigation exposed no archaeological features, although some disarticulated human bone was encountered during the work and was documented appropriately, along with some animal bone (pig), iron coffin nails and two copper pins. Any loose architectural fragments on the site (all previously known) were stored within the tower, which is now securely fenced to prevent access by the public. One headstone from the 1790s was exposed during the works within the tower and has been documented and secured on site.
The human remains were retrieved from two separate contexts, one to the immediate south of the church bell tower and the other to the west of a foundation for a fallen gravestone. No grave cuts could be identified during excavation. It is probable that the disarticulated remains were disturbed during grave-digging activity. A minimum of five individuals were recognised within the material, two adults and three non-adults.

There are no plans for any further excavation work in relation to the amenity area/town park at St Beccan’s Church and Graveyard. Consequently, no further archaeological mitigation should be required.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth