County: Louth Site name: Moorehall Lodge, Ardee
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0124
Author: Muireann Nà Cheallacháin
Site type: Medieval deposit with roof tiles & pottery sherds
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 696419m, N 790368m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.853815, -6.534472
Archaeological testing was carried out at the site of a proposed extension to a nursing home site. The area of testing is located with the zone of archaeological potential associated with the town of Ardee (LH017-101). A further 8 archaeological sites were identified with 250m of the site.
Testing was carried out over 3 days in March 2021. On 8 March 6 trenches measuring c. 146 linear metres were mechanically investigated. The trenches targeted the open area within the footprint of the proposed development.
Monitoring of the excavation of six geotechnical trial pits across the proposed development area was undertaken on 11 and 12 March. The medieval deposit (C4) identified during the testing phase was also identified in trial pits 1 and 5 at the west of the site. The post-medieval deposit (C7) identified in testing was also recorded in trial pits 4, 5 and 6. The undated grey clay deposit (C9) was identified in trial pits 4, 6 and 7. Previously unidentified deposits included a yellowish-grey clay (C11) that contained post-medieval artefacts was recorded in trial pit 3 and a sterile peat layer (C10) was recorded in trial pit 7.
A deposit of medieval date (C4) was recorded within the test trenches and trial pits located at the western extent of the site. The glazed ceramic ridged roof tile and possible roof slate retrieved from the deposit suggest that a medieval building may have been located in the vicinity of the trench. The presence of animal bone, some showing signs of butchery marks, and marine shell, suggests that the layer may be an occupation deposit. No evidence of disarticulated human remains was identified within or beneath this medieval layer. The medieval layer is likely associated with the 13th-century Hospital of St John the Baptist (LH017-101) located c.20m to the south-west. Several deposits of post-medieval date (C7,C8 & C9) were identified across the site underlying the topsoil and modern overburden layers.
c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
