2023:544 - Baltrasna, Ashbourne, Meath

The archaeological monitoring of groundworks at the site commenced in October 2023. The grass sod, topsoil and subsoils were removed by mechanical excavator with a toothless grading bucket until the natural ground was observed. This was carried out from east to west across the site.
The depth of the groundworks was between 0.35m and 0.45m, with the grass sod and topsoil (C1) measuring between 0.2m and 0.3m in thickness. A light greyish- brown subsoil (C2) was observed measuring between 0.2m and 0.25m thickness. Modern ceramics, plastic waste and other modern debris were observed within C2. This is likely associated with the farming activity at the site prior to development as well as services between the house on the eastern edge of the site and the existing cold storage buildings to the south.
These included a water service to a trough running from the northeast to the southwest of the site, a septic tank on the southern edge of the site and associated drains and service pipes, and construction rubble associated with the southern retaining wall and farm gate.
The natural ground (C3) consisted of a light brown sandy clay with moderate amounts of sub-rounded and sub-angular stone. A modern stone-filled field drain was observed along the northern part of the site and orientated northeast to southwest.
No archaeological features or deposits were identified during monitoring. All necessary archaeological investigations are now considered complete, and no further action is required.