2021:226 - Dawn Meats, Wastewater Treatment Plant, Painestown, Navan, Meath

Archaeological test-excavations were carried out in association with a proposal by Dawn Meats Ireland to construct an extension to a wastewater treatment plant, with works to include a treated effluent rising main pipeline to a discharge point on the River Boyne.

The project is sited in a rural and predominantly agricultural environment. The proposed pipeline route follows the network of local roads for the most part, with the exception of the start and end points at the existing facility (Painestown) and on the bank of the River Boyne (Ardmulchan). The effluent rising main pipeline is aligned along a section of Windmill Road, the L1013, Yellow Furze Road, the L1600 (Boyne Road) and an unnamed local road leading from the L1600 to private lands abutting the River Boyne at the discharge point, traversing Painestown, Seneschalstown, Dollardstown, Hayestown-Carnuff Little and Ardmulchan townlands.

In July 2021, a detailed gradiometer survey of the terminus site at Ardmulchan was conducted by Shanarc Archaeology Ltd. under licence no. 21R0182. The majority of the survey data collected appears to indicate modern ferrous disturbance, however the survey did produce some evidence for potential archaeological activity within the outfall area. Evidence suggests potential archaeology may consist of possible pit features, though excavation would be required to determine the exact nature and archaeological significance of these.

The method statement that accompanied the excavation licence application proposed the excavation of 8 trenches – 5 at Ardmulchan townland and 3 at Painestown. However permission to access the land at Ardmulchan was not granted at time of testing, and so test excavations and the associated report relate only to the trenches excavated at Painestown.

A total of 3 test trenches were machine excavated in a greenfield site along the route of the proposed pipeline at Painestown, between the existing Dawn Meats facility and the local road. Test-excavation was carried out on 19 November 2021, using a mechanical digger with a flat grading bucket.

Excavated trenches measured 65-75m in length, 0.5-0.6m in depth and 2m in width. Excavated material comprised mid-brown silty topsoil to a depth of between 0.4m and 0.6m; this overlay a natural mid-yellow/orange-brown sandy clay with frequent small to medium-sized stones.

No archaeological finds or features were noted during test excavations.

Unit 39a, Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny