County: Meath Site name: Dowth Passage Tomb, Dowth
Sites and Monuments Record No.: ME020-017 Licence number: E005415
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd
Site type: Megalithic tomb
Period/Dating: Neolithic (4000BC-2501 BC)
ITM: E 702262m, N 773830m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.704137, -6.451176
The site is located within the footprint of a former guide hut in Dowth townland, Co. Meath, to the north-west of Dowth Passage Tomb, which is within the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a National Monument (No. 652; RMP No. ME020-017).
The area measured c. 56m2 and was within the footprint of a former 1980's guide hut, where the remains of the concrete support structure and surrounding paved area survived. A low stone wall separates it from the National Monument and the main visitor route. The removal of all mortared foundations and stone surrounds was monitored.
The mortared concrete foundation and stone surround (C1) were removed by hand and taken off site. A layer of modern gravel (C2) was visible between the foundations of the wall, below where the hut once stood. The concrete foundation and surround measured a maximum of 0.24m in thickness and lay directly above mid-brown silty clay topsoil (C3). The flagged stone area to the north of the hut was 0.15m in maximum depth and lay directly on a mix of topsoil and some sand. Natural subsoil was not exposed.
No archaeological features or deposits were exposed during the monitoring and no finds were recovered. No further works are required as the area will be returned to grass and any archaeological features or deposits that may be present will be preserved in situ.
Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.
