2020:213 - Grangend Common & Dunshaughlin, Meath

Pre-development testing was carried out on a proposed development site at Grangend Common and Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath from 3 to 9 March 2020. The development site, comprising 7.752 hectares, is located approximately 100m north-east of the area of archaeological constraint for ME044-033, the historic town of Dunshaughlin including the early Christian church site founded by St Seachnaill. The general topography of this green field site is one of high ground in the west falling away to low-lying ground on the margins of the former Little Lagore Lough in the east. Testing comprised the excavation of twenty-three trenches on the footprint of the proposed development. The stratigraphy generally reflected a pattern where the ground changed from well-drained dry land in the west to wetter conditions in the east, eventually becoming bog in the south-east extent of the site. The gravel content of the subsoil decreases to the east resulting in poorer drainage and wetter ground.

A spread of burnt material (approx. 10m north-south x 10m) was uncovered in the north-west extent of the low-lying field in the east of the site. It is located on a slight rise approximately 10m east of the small stream which forms the west boundary of the field. Ordnance survey mapping indicates that this stream originates at St Seachnaill’s Well c. 200m to the north of the site. The well occupies the site of a natural spring which drained into the former Little Lagore Lough via the watercourse traversing the development site. A rim sherd of Bronze Age pottery was found within the excavated spoil 10m north of the burnt spread. Archaeological excavation was recommended in the event of a grant of planning for the development.

Dominic Delany & Associates, Creganna, Oranmore, Co. Galway