2024:245 - Blackfriary, Trim, Meath

Archaeological test excavation was undertaken at Blackfriary, Trim, Co. Meath (Blackfriary (2nd Division) & Townparks North Townlands, Skreen By. on 13 September 2024 under Ministerial Consent C001397 and Activity number E005735 alongside metal detection licence No R000741.

The site was heavily crossed by services. As a result, Trenches 1 to 4 were shortened and Trench 5 could not be excavated at all. This resulted in 61 linear metres being excavated as opposed to the proposed 127 linear metres.

A total of 4 trenches were excavated across the site. Trench 1 was crossed by several modern features, pipes and trenches (C3, C4 & C5). Consequently, excavation terminated when they were encountered so as not to damage the pipes.

Trench 5 could not be excavated due to an active water main crossing through the entirety of the only area available for excavation.

Trenches 2, 3 & 4 revealed a wide ditch, C9, ranging in width from 6.3m (Trench 2) to 9.2m (Trench 3) at the top with a generally uniform width at the base of c.1.8m. The depth of the ditch varied from 2m (Trench 3) to 2.25m (Trench 2). The C9 contained three fills: C6, C7 & C8.

The upper fill of ditch C6 comprised a light orange-brown friable silty clay which had frequent modern debris inclusions such as metal, wire, plastic and pottery. On average this measured c.0.6m deep. It was interpreted as a modern infill and levelling layer.

The basal fill of the ditch (C7) was a blue/grey waterlogged clay. On average this measured c.0.9m deep. It contained waterlogged/preserved organic matter such as wood and twigs. Several artefacts were recovered from this layer: a fragment of a large saw with irregular teeth was recovered in Trench 2 by metal detection (R000741). Unglazed red earthenware pottery was recovered from C7 in both Trench 3 and Trench 4. Finally, brown glazed red earthenware was recovered from C7 in Trench 4. The pottery is post-medieval, likely dating from the 16th to 19th century, while the saw is undated.

The base of the ditch (C9) was located along the line of the townland boundary between Townparks North and Blackfriary (2^nd Devision) which runs north-west/south-east through the site. This also marks the location of the Historic Trim Town Defences, ME036-048005, which were constructed in the 17^th century. It is speculated that the town defences at this location were comprised of earthworks rather than a medieval masonry wall (Roycroft 2023) and it is noted that these 17^th-century ‘Rampart’ defences have been recorded at the Black Friary Community Archaeology zone and in the Porch Field next to St Mary’s Abbey.

The base of the ditch (C9) appeared to be lined with roughly-cut, un-bonded stones. The individual stones measured 0.2‑0.3m in diameter. This stone feature (C8) was c. 1.8m wide and recorded at the base of ditch C9 in Trenches 2‑4. The depth and instability of the test trenches rendered close examination impossible. As a result, it is unclear if this stone feature represented a stone lining at the base of ditch C9 or a collapsed revetment or masonry wall, originally located on the internal (western) side of ditch C9. The depth of this feature (c. 2m from the existing ground surface) rendered more detailed survey unsafe. Also, the base of the trenches rapidly filled with water, further hampering archaeological recording.

The ditch most likely represents the Historic 17th-century Trim Town Defences, ME036-048005. The artefacts recovered from the basal layer of the ditch C7 support this date.

Reference:

Roycroft, N. 2023 ‘Lands at Black Friary housing estate, Trim, Co. Meath, Archaeology Heritage Desk Based Review and Assessment’ , Unpublished.

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