2021:195 - Kiltoome, Trim, Meath

Test trenching was carried out at Kiltoome, Trim, Co. Meath on 29 October 2021. The testing was informed by the results of a geophysical survey of the site carried out by Ian Russell and Robert Breen under licence 21R0247 and targeted anomalies identified.
A total of 11 test trenches were excavated. Each trench measured 1.8m in width and in total 239m of linear trenches were excavated. The test trenches were excavated down to the natural or the top of archaeological features. In general, grey-brown silty clay topsoil measured between 0.32m and 0.7m, and lay above the orange sandy subsoil.
A concentration of features of possible archaeological significance were identified in test trenches 3 & 6.
A large pit (C3), a field boundary ditch (C10), a kiln (C4) a flue (C5) and one post-hole (C6) were identified within Trench 3. The continuation of the field boundary ditch (C10) was identified within Trench 6 as was a possible ditch terminal (C7). The field boundary ditch (C10) continued eastwards into Trench 4 where a possible furrow (C14) was also identified. Post-medieval furrows (C16-C17) and a post-medieval ditch (C18) were exposed within Trenches 9 & 11.
Following the discovery of these features the proposed development was redesigned. The house and all associated services were moved northwards so that the archaeological features could be preserved in situ, below the lawn. An exclusion zone will be established during the construction phase to highlight the location of the features and ensure that no excavation takes place at this location. Licensed archaeological monitoring of topsoil stripping within the area of the proposed development and of all groundworks is recommended.

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