2021:548 - Porch Field Amenity Performance Area and Access works, Trim, Meath

Archaeological monitoring took place of the Porch Amenity Performance Area and Access works general ITM680669, 756770. The works were completed in conjunction with C670:E5341 Porch Field Footpath and Wild Flower Areas.
The impact area was 3,594sq m adjacent to the east side of the R154. Works comprised a Construction Compound of 446sq m (subsequently reinstated to grass); Car Park of 526sq m; Access Track of 887sq m (of which approx. 560sq m was the removal of an existing footpath laid in 2015 as C670:E4602); Performance Area of 1643sq m; Electricity supply connection trench of 92sq m.
The Car Park Area was adjacent to a concrete platform 15m x 6m constructed in 1990 when the R154 was built, that was being used as a cattle pen. This concrete platform was retained in situ. Adjacent to this cattle-pen the lands had been previously levelled of cultivation ridges and were disturbed by trampled-in modern debris from wheel rutting and rubbish disposal. The works were completed in conjunction with C670:E5341 Footpath works and so are split into the same discussion zones.

Zone 1: Newtown Trim
No E5342 works for were completed in Newtown Trim.

Zone 2: Porch Field agricultural area
Compound Area showed remains of the Footpath shown on 1910 OS. This footpath was constructed in modern topsoil and certainly dates to the later 19th century. The adjacent field boundary was partly seen as a partially stone-revetted bank. No evidence for any medieval road or ‘hollow way’.
Vehicle access showed a lead pistol ball (16mm diam./22g), a lead carbine ball (18mm diam./30g), a broken iron prick spur (possibly 17th century); 1 George II halfpenny (c.1740 prelim ID – very worn), 2 copper alloy buckles (possibly dress buckles), 2 iron buckles (harness), iron slag (722g), 2 iron chisels, 1 table knife, 2 punch/awls (poss. horseshoe frog cleaners), 2 horseshoe fragments, 1 quartz plough pebble, modern coins (1941, 1975, 2 post-2000), 2 iron cooking pot fragments, 15 fencing pieces, 91 horseshoe nails, 25 post-medieval pottery fragments and some clay tobacco pipe pieces plus numerous other ‘agricultural-based’ items.

Zone 3: Dredging dumps
This material is the product of OPW River Boyne dredging around 1970. The Amenity Area exposed the upper surface of dredging dumps. Finds included 2 complete horseshoes, 1 tin kettle, 1 tin, domed, ornamental tableware lid, part of a hob-nailed boot, oyster shells, 10 tin plates – probably from buckets, corrugated iron sheeting (not retained), large mammal animal bones, post-medieval and modern pottery fragments, 3 nails and 13 fencing items. Many large, broken stones probably came from river-edge armouring and the riverbed.

c/o Meath County Council