2020:222 - Blackcastle Demesne & Ferganstown & Ballymacon, Navan, Meath

Archaeological test trenching was carried out at Site A, Blackcastle Demesne (688217, 768840), and Site B, Ferganstown & Ballymacon (688345, 768578), Navan, Co. Meath.

A total of 29 test trenches were excavated at Site A. The sod and topsoil measured an average of 0.35m in thickness and lay above the natural orange gravelly clay. No archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified.

A total of 6 test trenches were excavated at Site B. The sod and topsoil measured an average of 0.4m in thickness and lay above the natural orange gravelly clay. A number of post-medieval and possible archaeological features were identified. Although there were visible low relief remains of a sub-rectangular enclosure within the field adjacent to the field boundary at the south, archaeological testing and cartographic analysis succeeded in identifying this as the remains of an early 19th-century domestic enclosure that is clearly marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey (OS) sheet. Traces of this enclosure were identified as earthen banks (C4 & C5) with an associated cobbles pathway (C3). The various post-medieval linear ditches (C7 – C10) appear to be parallel to the earthen bank C5 and most likely represent either drainage or post-medieval field boundaries. The possible archaeological features consisted of a number of linear ditches, possible pits and post-holes filled with a mid-brown silty clay and varying inclusions of animal bone. The north-west/south-east linear ditches C11-C13 may represent boundary ditches or field systems, whereas the east-west ditches (C14-16) may represent ditches associated within either earlier field systems or a possible enclosure. The possible pit (C23) and possible post-holes (C18-C21) are suggestive indicators of possible domestic or industrial activity associated with the ditch C14.

Though no archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified at Site A, a number of archaeological features were identified during monitoring (01E0535) associated with the installation of new sewerage ducts nearby, especially in proximity to the pumping station which led to the identification of monument Excavation – miscellaneous (ME025-062----) recorded as located within the south-west part of the site.

Consequently, it is recommended that archaeological monitoring is conducted during the proposed works in order to identify and record any potential subsurface archaeological features that may be present, especially adjacent to the pumping station.

The monument classed as enclosure (ME025-053----) visible in a form of earthwork within Site B was found to represent remains of a 19th-century vernacular structure, also visible on the 1835 map. In addition, a number of possible archaeological features, linear ditches, possible pit and post-holes, were identified within Site B.

Donald Murphy, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth.