2025:114 - Newgrange, Meath

The test trenching was carried out at pre-planning phase at the request of the client.

There are no recorded archaeological monuments, as listed in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) or the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), located within the proposed development site boundary. However, it is located within the core area of the ‘Brú na Bóinne – Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne’ World Heritage Site, extending over an area of c. 780 hectares with a magnitude of archaeological sites and consequently within a very sensitive landscape. The site lies between the Newgrange tumulus and Newgrange and Knowth complexes, located c. 0.5km to the southeast and c. 0.61km to the northwest, respectively. The nearest monument to the site is a Ringfort-rath ME019-039—- located c.0.3km to the east of the site, defined by a scarp with an outer fosse and clearly visible on a 2005 aerial photograph.

Three test trenches were initially proposed. However, only one was excavated (Trench 1). Due to the auxiliary structures (conservatory and outdoor sheds) still standing at the time of testing, and underground services, Trenches 2 and 3 could not be excavated. Trench 1 measured 1.8m in width and 8m in length. The topsoil was a dark brown silty clay. The natural was a mottled light grey and yellow clay with stones.  No archaeological features or deposits were observed or exposed within the trench. As Trenches 2 and 3 could not be excavated, monitoring of ground works is recommended.