2024:730 - Castlefarm, Rush, Clonee, Dunboyne, Meath

Archaeological testing was carried out over the course of four days from 1 October 2024 using a mechanical excavator fitted with a flat grading bucket. The test-trenching confirmed the results of the earlier geophysical survey, and the remains of a previously unrecorded enclosure site is present in the north-east corner of the development area (AA1). The enclosure has been partially truncated by a large Irish Water sewer that runs across the site. A number of ditches were identified on the exterior of the enclosure. These are likely to represent earlier field systems/divisions associated with the enclosure. While no datable evidence was recovered from the enclosure ditch fills, the morphology of the site would suggest it is an early medieval enclosure site.

Geophysical anomaly 7 represents the remains of a ring-ditch, which was identified in Trench 12 (AA2). Possibly Bronze Age activity was also identified in the western portion of the site in the form of a cremation pit and hearth in Trench 18 (AA3).

The large area of magnetic disturbance identified by the geophysical survey across the northern part of the site was confirmed as an area of made/disturbed ground with trenches in this area recording the presence of rubble deposits 0.4-0.9m deep.

Planning permission has been granted for the residential development and the approved site layout includes for the removal of the Irish Water sewer line which traverses the enclosure, and the re-laying of a new line across the site, the construction of storm water attenuation and a flood compensatory storage area and the construction of roads infrastructure and a number of housing units, all of which will have a direct impact on the enclosure in the north-east corner of the site and its associated external features (AA1). In addition, ground disturbances associated with the proposed development will have a direct impact on the cremation pit and hearth in Trench 18 (AA3) and the possible ring-ditch in Trench 12 (AA2).

The testing report recommended that the enclosure and associated features located in the north-east corner of the site (AA1) be preserved by record (archaeological excavation) in advance of development. It also recommended that the cremation pit and hearth in Trench 18 (AA3) and the possible ring-ditch in Trench 12 (AA2) be excavated in advance of development.