2024:548 - Dublin Road and Chapel Road, Haggardstown, Dundalk, Louth

The site was archaeologically test tested in May 2024, which identified 13 potential archaeological features within 8 areas (A-H). The potential archaeological features consisted of five pits (C3, C7, C12, C21 and 28), a cereal drying kiln (C30), a linear slot (C31), a penannular slot trench (C6), a burnt spread (C4) and four ditches (C8, C13, C14 and C29). Modern features were also recorded and consisted of one stone-lined well (C1000), nine ditches (C5, C9, C11, C15, C18, C19, C24, C26, C27) and three agricultural furrows (C10, C22 and C23).
In July 2024, a total of five areas (A-H) were opened up, which ranged in size from 10m x 10m² to 15m x 30m². A total of eight features were identified in the five areas. An additional pit; C105, was identified during the monitoring of groundworks at the north of the site.
In area A, C3 and C4, recorded as a possible burnt mound spread turned out to be a tree-bole. In area B, C6, recorded as a curvilinear slot/penannular slot, turned out to be a modern agricultural linear. In area C, linear C14 contained a sherd of black earthen ware (24E0115:56:1). In area D, ditch C13 aligned with ditch C29 in area F, where a shard of glass (24E0115:111:1) was found in the ditch. In area E, ditch C8 was recorded next to pit C7. In Area F, C30, recorded as a dumb-bell shaped kiln in testing, was reduced to the size of a hearth after cleaning. A pit, C21, with frequent stones was recorded in area H. Pit C105, the additional pit identified during monitoring of groundworks contained a piece of plastic at the base. Pit C28 could not be found after area G was stripped of topsoil.
The features identified were mainly modern agricultural features. Two of the possible features, hearth C30 & and pit C7 have the potential to be archaeological, however, it should be noted that hearths and pits can date from the prehistoric right up to modern times. Given the high number of agricultural field ditches and furrows within the proposed development site, it is likely that C30 and C7 are also modern agricultural features. A sample (No. 1) taken from C30, will be processed and further analysis will be undertaken from the flot.The site was archaeologically test tested in May 2024, which identified 13 potential archaeological features within 8 areas (A-H). These features consisted of five pits (C3, C7, C12, C21 and 28), a cereal drying kiln (C30), a linear slot (C31), a penannular slot trench (C6), a burnt spread (C4) and four ditches (C8, C13, C14 and C29). Modern features were also recorded and consisted of one stone-lined well (C1000), nine ditches (C5, C9, C11, C15, C18, C19, C24, C26, C27) and three agricultural furrows (C10, C22 and C23).
In July 2024, a total of five areas (A-H) were opened up, which ranged in size from 10m x 10m² to 15m x 30m². A total of eight features were identified in the five areas. An additional pit, C105, was identified during the monitoring of groundworks at the north of the site.
In Area A, C3 and C4, recorded as a possible burnt mound spread, turned out to be a tree-bole. In Area B, C6, recorded as a curvilinear slot/penannular slot, turned out to be a modern agricultural linear feature. In Area C, linear feature C14 contained a sherd of black earthen ware (24E0115:56:1). In Area D, ditch C13 aligned with ditch C29 in Area F, where a shard of glass (24E0115:111:1) was found in the ditch. In Area E, ditch C8 was recorded next to pit C7. In Area F, C30, recorded as a dumb-bell-shaped kiln in testing, was reduced to the size of a hearth after cleaning. A pit, C21, with frequent stones, was recorded in Area H. Pit C105, the additional pit identified during monitoring of groundworks, contained a piece of plastic at the base. Pit C28 could not be found after Area G was stripped of topsoil.
The features identified were mainly modern agricultural features. Two of the possible features, hearth C30 & and pit C7, have the potential to be archaeological, however, it should be noted that hearths and pits can date from the prehistoric right up to modern times. Given the high number of agricultural field ditches and furrows within the proposed development site, it is likely that C30 and C7 are also modern agricultural features. A sample taken from C30 will be processed and further analysis will be undertaken from the flot.