2023:335 - Peast, Monaghan

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development in Peast townland, c. 6km north-west of Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, was carried out on 21 November 2023. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a two-storey extension to a dwelling house complete with a new sewerage treatment unit and percolation area and including the reconfiguration of a laneway to the existing farm. The testing was a condition of the planning permission and was necessary due to the proximity of the proposed development to a ringfort (RMP MO027-089).

The testing consisted of the excavation of three trenches, located to best cover the area of the proposed development which was accessible. The trenches measured 13m, 13m and 24.7m long respectively, 1.9-2m wide and 0.15-0.9m deep.

The pre-development testing revealed topsoil above modern fill and natural subsoils. Only modern artefacts were recovered. The fill, which was uncovered in one of the three trenches, contained modern finds and appeared to be associated with the construction of the adjacent cottage in the 1960s. A ceramic sewer pipe associated with the 1960’s dwelling was uncovered in a separate trench.  Elsewhere the stratigraphy was natural and undisturbed.  Nothing of archaeological significance was found.