2022:196 - Kildalkey Road, Townparks, Athboy, Meath

Archaeological test trenching was carried out at Kildalkey Road, Townparks,
Athboy, Co. Meath. An Archaeological Impact Assessment of the site recommended test excavation. This assessment (test trenching) was carried out at the request of the client to assess the archaeological potential of the site. The site measures c. 1 hectare and lies in the townland of Townparks, adjacent to and south of Kildalkey Road, within lands associated with Frankville House, a former Convent House (RPS 91093, NIAH Reg. No. 14324007) and now the Athboy Community School. The north-east boundary of the site, facing onto Kildalkey Road, includes an upstanding boundary wall that was originally part of the Frankville estate wall. This wall was also subject to archaeological assessment (survey). It was partially cleared by hand of vegetation and a full laser scan was completed using a Trimble SX10.
Archaeological test trenching was carried out on 3 August 2022. A total of eight test trenches were excavated within the site. Each trench measured 1.8m in width, and in total, 400m of linear trenches were excavated to the top of natural subsoil, which consisted of coarse mid-brown sandy clay, gravel and stone.
No archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified. The only feature identified consisted of a post-medieval/early modern field drain in Trench 3. It was clear that the ground had been levelled with the deposition and levelling of clay or similar material over the majority of the southwestern portion of the site. This was evident in the depth of topsoil in the trenches in this area, from Trench 4 at a depth of 0.9m, to Trench 1 where the soil measured 1.3m in thickness.

Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.