County: Meath Site name: Kentstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0541
Author: Maeve McCormick
Site type: Medieval bivallate ringfort & associated features
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 696924m, N 765573m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.630978, -6.534570
Test excavation was undertaken from 16-19 August 2021 in advance of a proposed development at Kentstown, Co. Meath. Eight test trenches were excavated with a combined length of 885 linear metres (1770 sq. m, c. 5.1% of total 1.91ha area). The trenches were placed to assess the anomalies, recorded in the course of a previous geophysical survey.
Geophysical surveys of the site (Licence Nos 21R0180 and 21R0200 undertaken on 19 and 28 July respectively), showed anomalies suggestive of an early medieval bivallate ringfort enclosure, additional enclosures, field boundaries and settlement activity.
Test excavations confirmed the presence of archaeological remains dominating the southern/middle section of the site. These features included two concentric enclosure ditches, most likely a bivallate ringfort of early medieval date. The remains of four additional partial enclosures and associated internal features were also recorded during test excavation. Numerous field boundaries and two kilns suggested to be contemporary with the enclosures were recorded to the north and east of the enclosures. Plough furrows of uncertain date and modern drainage gullies were also noted across the site.
Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
