2024:058 - Scoil Mhuire, Trim, Meath

Test excavation was undertaken on 12 and 15 March 2024. A total of 25 trenches were excavated across the site totalling 1967 linear metres. Constraints in the form of overhead wires, fences and unofficial trackways resulted in the reduction of linear meters from the proposed methodology. Trenches were placed to target anomalies recorded in the course of the geophysical survey (24R0018).

In the northern field topsoil comprises loose, mid-brown, friable, silty clay plough soil, measuring up to 0.7m deep. In the southern pasture field the topsoil comprised mid-brown, silty clay measuring 0.5m deep. Across the site the subsoil comprised yellow-grey silty clay with frequent stones. In waterlogged areas this clay is greyer in colour. Plough furrows were noted in various alignments across the entirety of the site.

Test trenches were placed to assess geophysical anomalies. Many of these (C4, C5, C6 & C10) proved to be natural variations of subsoil or tree bowl. Several modern field boundaries or drainage ditches were recorded (C3, C17, C8, C9, C11, C12 & C13), all of which were located in the north field and corresponded to anomalies on the geophysical survey. Ditches C3 & C8 likely represent two sections of the same ditch, as did C12 & C13, based on geophysical data. A modern stony feature, possibly a metalled road or trackway, crossed the west of the field running east-west. This was recorded in Trench 11 (C14) and Trench 13 (C15).

The townland boundary ditch between Fosterstown and Friarspark 5th division was noted in Trench 17b (C16). It measured 2.4m wide x 1.2m deep. One sherd of white tableware pottery was recovered during excavation of an exploratory section through this feature. The townland boundary ditch between Friarspark 5th Division and Shanlothe was also noted in Trench 18c (C17) and Trench 19b (C19). It measured c.3.4m wide x 1.2m deep. No artefacts were recovered from this ditch. Both of these townland boundaries were recorded on historical mapping and can be seen on aerial photography, however they are not visible at ground level.

Finally, four oval pits (C18, C21, C22 & C23) were recorded in Trench 21; these corresponded to geophysical anomalies. The pits contained burnt-mound material comprising heat-cracked stones within a black silty clay. The largest pit (C18) measured 1.5m north-south x 1.2m. Three of the pits were half sectioned (C18, C21 & C23), the deepest of which was C18 at 0.4m deep. All pits showed a single fill throughout. It is likely that these pits represent a trough or pit related to a ploughed-out fulacht fiadh.

Archer Heritage Planning, Unit 1, Tenure Business Park, Co Louth A92 K2VF