2022:818 - Vesingstown, Polleban & Harlockstown, Co. Meath, Meath

Archaeological testing was carried out at Vesingstown, Co. Meath, in August 2022. The aim of testing was to assess the archaeological potential of four anomalies identified in the South Meath Geophysical Survey (Neo Environmental, April 2018). The anomalies comprised three sub-circular features, and two parallel linear features. Testing resulted in the discovery of a circular enclosure (diam. 14m) defined by a ditch averaging 2.45m wide and 0.85m deep. The upper ditch fills consisted of a series of yellow/brown and grey/brown sterile clays, similar to the natural subsoil and interpreted as infills associated with the backfilling of the ditch. The basal fill consisted of grey clay with occasional inclusions of animal bone fragments. Two sherds of coarse gritty pottery, of probable Bronze Age date, were recovered from the basal fill within the excavated section at the east extent of the ditch. The enclosure, interpreted as ring ditch, was preserved in situ and a buffer zone was established around the outer edge of the monument. The exclusion zone was demarcated on the ground by post-and-rope fencing, which remained in place for the duration of the construction phase of the development. Subsequent monitoring of cable trench excavations was carried out within the townlands of Vesingstown and Polleban between August and December 2022. No archaeology was found during monitoring.

Previous archaeological mitigation for the South Meath Solar Farm development included monitoring at the site of the proposed electrical substation, temporary construction compound and new access road at Polleban, in November 2021 (2021:557), and monitoring of the grid connection route within the townlands of Polleban and Harlockstown in April-June 2022 (2022:180).

Dominic Delany & Associates