2021:355 - Bakery Lane, Navan, Meath

Archaeological monitoring of exploratory groundworks was undertaken for the installation of a foul sewer pipe at Bakery Lane in Navan town, Co. Meath. Bakery Lane is located within the Zone of Notification of the historic town of Navan (ME025-044---) and is in close proximity to the medieval defences (ME025-044003-) that enclosed the town. The lane runs for c.120m and links Trimgate Street at its north and Fair Green at its south. The monitoring was carried out between 11-29 October and between 2-8 December 2021.
The open cut exploratory trench measuring approximately 26m in length started at Trimgate Street and terminated at the western corner of four recently developed houses at the eastern side of Bakery lane. The trench was excavated along the existing foul sewer within previously disturbed ground and between multiple existing services. The monitoring revealed mostly modern fills related to existing service trenches. Natural subsoil comprising loose mid-brownish yellow gravelly sand was recorded 0.7m below ground level within the central section of the trench. Three deposits, probably associated with a foundation trench of one of the buildings on the eastern side of the lane, were revealed. These deposits comprised a loosely compacted orange brown gravelly, sandy clay, brownish yellow sandy silt, and mid brown sandy clay with frequent small to medium sub-angular stones and occasional fragments of red brick. No foundation of the building was uncovered.
No potential archaeological finds, features, or deposits were noted during the archaeological monitoring.

Archaeological Management Solutions Ltd., Fahy’s Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare, V15 C780