Athlumney
Townland in the civil parish of Athlumney, barony of Skreen, Co. Meath; in Irish Áth Luimnigh
Parcel 174731
- Area
- 389 m²
- Buildings
- 2 buildings touch it, 238 m² on the ground
- Zoning
- R2 A1 - Existing Residential (Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027) The objective
- Townland
- Athlumney
Planning applications on this parcel
No planning application touches this parcel in the national file, which goes back to 2010.
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Designated sites
No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches this parcel.
Recorded monuments around it
No zone of notification of a recorded monument touches this parcel.
Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A parcel is the land of a title, not an address. The owner's name is in the Land Registry of Tailte Éireann: a copy of the folio can be ordered on landdirect.ie, for a fee.
- Area
- 240.8 ha
- 595 acres
- Land parcels
- 1,721
- registered freehold, median 326 m²
- Zoning
- R2
- A1 - Existing Residential
- Planning
- 100
- applications since 2010
Land parcels
Registered freehold land, Tailte Éireann
1,721 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Athlumney, from 0 m² to 420,107 m² (42.01 ha, 103.81 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 66 neighbouring parcels touch it.
Zoning
Development plans, national zoning
- R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1,669 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G3H1 - High Amenity (Conservation, amenity or buffer space, corridor/belt, landscape)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 20 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - R1A2 - New Residential (New/proposed residential)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 11 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - R4A2 - New Residential (Strategic Residential Reserve)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 10 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - M1C1 - Mixed Use (Mixed Use, general development, opportunity/proposal site)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 8 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - C3E1 - Strategic Employment Zones (High Technology Uses) (Office, business/technology park and related)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 6 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - S5G1 - Community Infrastructure (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 5 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - G1F1 - Open Space (Open space, park)
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan - P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 1 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.
Planning applications
Sites that touch the townland, newest first
11 Sept 2026N/a
the development will consist of the Retention and completion of a living unit from converted garage (apartment) to 2 bed family living unit, Air B & B and Planning Permission for extension to dining area and amendments to roof of garage unit. (A Protected Structure No. 90936)
Retention · Meath County Council, 2661135
20 Aug 2026N/a
the development will consist of amendments to the previously approved planning permission (Reg. Ref. 25/60909). The amendments for which permission is sought comprise the construction of 2 No. two-storey detached dwellings with pitched/part-flat roofs and single-storey flat-roof extensions to the rear, in lieu of the previously approved two-storey pitched-roof detached dwelling. The development will also include all associated and ancillary site works, landscaping, and site drainage works
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2661045
19 Jun 2026Conditional
retention permission for existing private residence, existing site entrance, walls, piers & existing yard walls and gates including all ancillary site works
Retention, 1 home · Meath County Council, 26164
15 Jun 2026N/a
For the demolition of the existing two bedroom single storey detached dwelling and the construction of 5no. dwellings comprising 1no. detached two storey 3 bedroom dwelling and 4no. terraced two storey 3 bedroom dwellings along with associated boundary treatments, roads, car parking, bin storage and all other ancillary site development works on their lands adjacent to the previously approved scheme of 93 no. residential units granted permission under Reg Ref: 22/1008 (Boann Weir)
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660734
12 Jun 2026Conditional
an amendment of an approved scheme of 93 no. residential units at Boyne Road, Athlumney, Navan, Co. Meath, under Meath Co. Co. Reg Ref: 22/1008. The proposed development will comprise amendments to the boundary treatment to the north/west of the development, associated with unit nos. 81-82, the public open space and the Creche. Amendments comprise the removal of a portion of the boundary No.6 fronting open space to allow this open space to be usable, amendment to the entrance path of unit No. 81, and the amendment of boundary No.6. The proposal includes all associated hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, footpaths and ancillary site works
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660717
10 Jun 2026Conditional
the erection and installation of (i) a new single storey detached flat roofed gas boiler cabin; and (ii) all associated siteworks, services and landscaping to facilitate the proposed development The development relates to works within the curtilage of protected structures, namely the Saint Michael’s Loreto Convent Church and Chapel [NIAH 14010115] and Saint Michael’s Loreto Convent School [NIAH 14010114], also within the curtilage of the site are Saint Michael’s Loreto Convent House [NIAH 14010113] and Saint Michael’s Loreto Convent Graveyard and Cemetery [NIAH 14010123]. The proposed development is located such that it is not in contact with any of these protected structures. As such the proposed development will have minimal visual impact on the protected structures
Permission · Meath County Council, 2660706
4 Jun 2026N/a
For the demolition of the existing two bedroom single storey detached dwelling and the construction of 5no. dwellings comprising 1no. detached two storey 3 bedroom dwelling and 4no. terraced two storey 3 bedroom dwellings along with associated boundary treatments, roads, car parking, bin storage and all other ancillary site development works on their lands adjacent to the previously approved scheme of 93 no. residential units granted permission under Reg Ref: 22/1008 (Boann Weir) at Boyne Road, Athlumney, Navan, Co. Meath.
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660690
2 Jun 2026Conditional
REDIII - Planning Permission for the erection and installation of (i) a new single storey detached flat roofed biomass boiler unit with an attached fuel store and flue in accordance with the Renewable Energy Directive III (REDIII) Development; and (ii) all associated siteworks, services and landscaping to facilitate the proposed development. The development relates to works within the curtilage of protected structures, namely the Saint Michael's Loreto Convent Church and Chapel [NIAH 14010115] and Saint Michael's Loreto Convent School [NIAH 14010114], also within the curtilage of the site are Saint Michael's Loreto Convent House [NIAH 14010113] and Saint Michael's Loreto Convent Graveyard and Cemetery [NIAH 14010123]. The proposed development is located such that it is not in contact with any of these protected structures. As such the proposed development will have minimal visual impact on the protected structures
Permission · Meath County Council, 2660663
19 Mar 2026N/a
planning permission to construct proposed granny flat extension to rear of existing dwelling, including all ancillary site works
Permission · Meath County Council, 2688
10 Mar 2026N/a
planning permission to construct proposed granny flat extension to rear of existing dwelling, including all ancillary site works
Permission · Meath County Council, 2684
5 Mar 2026Conditional
Planning permission for development and the amendment of an approved scheme of 93 no. residential units at Boyne Road, Athlumney, Navan, Co. Meath, under Meath Co. Co. Register Reference: 22/1008. The proposed development will comprise amendments to the gardens / amenity areas of 12 no. approved units and re-aligned rear boundaries associated with approved unit Nos. 59 – 70; the garden depths being reduced, the rear boundary to be formed by a 2 metre high rendered block and brick pillar wall and the inclusion of an opening for a pedestrian link between Unit Nos. 58 and 59 for a future pedestrian permeability linkage to serve lands to the rear and south of units 59 – 70. The proposal includes all associated hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, footpaths and ancillary works above and below ground. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Permission, 93 homes · Meath County Council, 2660256
26 Feb 2026N/a
planning permission to construct proposed granny flat extension to rear of existing dwelling, including all ancillary site works
Permission · Meath County Council, 2675
26 Feb 2026Conditional
• The construction of a two-storey (building height of c. 15.5m above ground level) industrial laundry processing and distribution facility warehouse (with a gross floor area (GFA) of c.10,514 sq.m), including: a ground floor warehouse and processing area of c.9,000 sq.m; a mezzanine level of c. 1,514 sq.m (including ancillary offices, storage, and staff amenities) with backlit signage extending to 22.5 sqm on the eastern elevation; • Vehicular access to the site will be via roundabout 3 at the Local Distributor Road 6 and the existing and permitted estate roads at Boyne Village Business Park estate roads; • Parking and loading facilities including: 107 staff car parking spaces (102 standard, 5 accessible) with 1 set-down space, 30 bicycle parking spaces, 19 truck parking spaces and 20 van parking spaces, 10 truck loading bays and 12 van loading bays; • Ancillary structures and services including single storey ESB substation (c. 22 sq.m), sprinkler system pump room (c. 40 sq.m), sprinkler attenuation tank, external water tank, external CO2 tanks and gas skid; • Site boundary works, landscaping, roads and drainage infrastructure (including foul and surface water drainage and attenuation measures and extension of estate road) as well as all other ancillary and associated development works. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Permission · Meath County Council, 2660226
12 Feb 2026N/a
amendments to previously approved planning permission (Reg Ref 25/60909). The amendments for which permission is sought is the construction of a habitable basement level to the previously approved two storey pitched roof detached dwelling together with all ancillary site works, landscaping and site drainage
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2660160
30 Jan 2026Conditional
The proposed development will consist of: i. The construction of 83 no. residential dwellings comprising 22 no. 3-bedroom, 2-storey semi-detached houses, 21 no. 3-bedroom, 2-storey terraced houses, 20 no. 3-bedroom, 3-storey terraced houses, 6 no. 2-bedroom, 2-storey semi-detached houses and 14 no. 2-bedroom, 2-storey terraced houses; ii. Vehicular and pedestrian access via an extension of the existing internal road network from the permitted Boyne Village Phase 1B development to the east (approved under MCC Ref. 24/60415 and ACP Ref. 322341-25) including pedestrian crossings, footpaths and shared pedestrian/cycle routes along with minor amendments to provide connections, tie ins and for permeability to integrate with the interface of the permitted Phase 1B development; iii. Provision of c.0.2 hectares of Public Open Space including a Pocket Park and outdoor play provision, hard and soft landscaping (including public lighting & boundary treatment) along with the provision of c.4 hectares of Public Open Space to the north and west of the proposed residential development to provide for an All-Purpose Sports Pitch, a kickabout area, informal play area, meadow walk and native woodland areas; iv. Provision of 166 no. surface resident car parking spaces, internal road and shared surface networks; v. Surface water attenuation measures, connection to water supply, provision of foul drainage, landscaping and boundary treatment, infrastructural works and all associated site development works necessary to facilitate the development. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the proposed development and is submitted with this application.
Permission, 83 homes · Meath County Council, 2660120
29 Jan 2026Conditional
Proposed family flat extension to the side/rear of the existing dwelling house, including retention permission for a garden out building to the rear of the existing dwelling house and all associated site development works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Permission · Meath County Council, 2660113
27 Nov 2025N/a
Proposed family flat extension to the side/rear of the existing dwelling house, including retention permission for a garden out building to the rear of the existing dwelling house and all associated site development works.
Permission · Meath County Council, 2561291
6 Nov 2025N/a
proposed family flat extension to the side/rear of the existing dwelling house, including retention permission for a garden out building to the rear of the existing dwelling house and all associated site development works.
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2561202
4 Sept 2025Conditional
the construction of a spa, sauna, coffee room, changing rooms and office adjoining existing Gymnasium
Permission · Meath County Council, 2560939
28 Aug 2025Conditional
amendments to previously approved planning permission (Reg Ref 22/385). The amendments for which permission are sought include construction of a revised two storey pitched roof detached dwelling in lieu of previously approved 1½ storey pitched roof detached dwelling together with all ancillary site works, landscaping and site drainage
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560909
26 Aug 2025Conditional
the development will consist of the construction of a new A-rated three-bedroom dwelling, together with the use of the existing vehicular entrance, new connections to the public mains water supply and public foul sewer, the provision of surface water drainage, and all associated site development and ancillary works
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560895
20 Jul 2025Conditional
a single storey extension and alterations to an existing dwelling house and associated site development works
Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560759
4 Jul 2025Conditional
the development will consist of the retention of a new first floor window on the side elevation of existing dwelling and all associated site works and landscaping
Retention · Meath County Council, 2560687
27 May 2025Conditional
Permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development - The proposed development will consist of 223no. residential dwellings (26no. 1 -bed, 50no. 2-bed, 138no. 3-bed and 9no. 4-bed) and a crèche. The mix of residential units consists of 155no. houses (18no. 2-bed, 128no. 3-bed, 9no. 4-bed) and 68no. apartments (26no. 1-bed, 32no. 2-bed, 10no. 3-bed). Apartments are three to four storey simplex/duplex own door apartments arranged in 5no. blocks. All housing is two storey in height. The crèche is a two storey standalone building (c.443sq.m) with allocated car parking and set down area. The proposed development includes all associated site development works including reprofiling of the site, works to an existing drainage ditch, the construction of a temporary foul water pumping station and rising main, public lighting, three ESB substations, bin and bicycle storage structures, car parking and landscaping of open space. The proposed development also provides for connections both vehicular and pedestrian to the residential development by Meath County Council known as Gort Na Glaise including the culverting part of an existing drainage ditch, removal of part of an existing hedge and existing boundary walls constructed within the Gort Na Glaise development. Provision is also made for future pedestrian/cycle connectivity to the west in keeping with Masterplan MP12. The development includes pedestrian/cycle connections onto the LRD6 and will provide a pedestrian crossing point on Old Road to the south of the application site. The development will be accessed by extending a spur off an existing roundabout junction on the new LRD 6 distributor road to the north of the application site. A portion of this spur road was previously permitted under P.A. Ref. 21-1046/ABP-312746-22. The proposed development also provides for an additional vehicular/pedestrian access to connect to the main access road proposed as part of a development to the north / north-west of the application site under P.A. Ref. 24/60415 (currently on appeal to An Bord Pleanála ABP-322341-25). A footpath and cycle path will be constructed along the western side of the application site as part of this planning application to provide access to the new development. A natura impact statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect to the proposed development and will be submitted to the planning authority with the planning application. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Permission, 223 homes · Meath County Council, 2560539
22 Nov 2024Conditional
the development will consist of the demolition of an existing garage and the construction of a new single storey extension to the side and rear of an existing two-storey semi-detached dwelling. It will also include the widening & reconfiguration of the existing site entrance and all ancillary site works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application
Permission · Meath County Council, 2461006
The 25 most recent of over 100 applications.
Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.
Nature and heritage
Designated sites and recorded monuments
Designated sites
- Special Area of Conservation: River Boyne and River Blackwater SAC 002299
- Special Protection Area: River Boyne and River Blackwater SPA 004232
Recorded monuments
- ME025-031 Church
Description
Situated on level ground with the top of a SW-facing slope overlooking a SSE-NNW section of the River Boyne c. 100m to the SW, and with the river c. 50m further to the SW. A church at Athlumpny is listed in the ecclesiastical taxation (1302-06) of Pope Nicholas IV (Cal. doc. Ire, 6, 355). According to Ussher’s Visitation (1622) the church and chancel were ruinous (Erlington 1864, 1, lxxvii), and according to Dopping’s Visitation (1682-5) the church was out of repair since 1641 and the graveyard was not fenced (Ellison 1972, 6). The parish church of Athlumney is within a D-shaped graveyard (max. dims c. 63m NW-SE; c. 50m NE-SW) that is curtailed by a WNW-ESE road on the N side. This is an undivided nave and chancel (int. dims 20.9m E-W; 5.75m N-S) structure, but most of the S wall is removed and the other walls are featureless. A rectangular tower (ext. dims 8m N-S; 3.2m E-W) with double-splayed lights in the S, W and N walls is attached to the W end of the nave and entered from the nave by a lintelled doorway. Its floors were wooden and it survives partly to the first floor, with an ivy covered double belfry on its W wall. Another structure, reduced to the foundations (ext. dims 4.3m E-W; 2.8m N-S) is attached to the E end of the N wall. Around 1749 Issac Butler recorded the Latin inscription on the graveslab of William Gough and his mother Ann Cheevers, dated 1692 (1892, 24). It is also described by FitzGerald (1909-10). A rectangular limestone graveslab (dims 2.05m x 1.09m; T 0.12m) in the nave has a raised heater-shaped shield at the centre that is divided by a line of chevrons. At least one goat taken from the Cheevers crest can be distinguished below the chevrons and the items above it could be boars’ heads from the Gough crest. There is a skull and cross-bones at the foot, but no inscription is discernible. Cogan (1862-70, 2, 238-9) describes a broken font as ‘octagonal and unornamented, and measured in diameter about one foot eight inches (c. 0.45m). The pedestal (base) is a circular stone two feet one inch in diameter (c. 0.64m), the aperture of which measures in diameter eight inches (c. 0.2m).’ This is no longer present. Athlumney motte (ME025-033----) is c. 90m to the S and Athlumney tower house (ME024-32001-) is c. 85m to the E. Navan town is across the river c. 500m to the NW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 17 December 2014
- ME025-031001 Graveyard
Description
Situated on level ground with the top of a SW-facing slope overlooking a SSE-NNW section of the River Boyne c. 100m to the SW, and with the river c. 50m further to the SW. The parish church of Athlumney (ME025-031----) is within a D-shaped graveyard (max. dims c. 63m NW-SE; c. 50m NE-SW) defined by masonry walls that is curtailed slightly by a WNW-ESE road on the N side. The graveslab (ME025-031002-) is in the nave fo the church. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 July, 2014
- ME025-031002 Graveslab
Description
Around 1749 Issac Butler recorded the Latin inscription on the graveslab dated 1692 of William Gough and his mother, Ann Cheevers, at Athlumney church, (Butler 1892, 24). It read: Hoc Monumentum est erectum inveri/ Bon AE Vite Boni Gulielmi Gough Memo/ riam./ Et Ejus Sponsae Matronae spectassimae/ Anno CHEevers quare hic tumulatur et/ Utr /usque Posteris Anno Domini/ 1692/ Tatu – Disce quis hac lapidum Submole Viator/ Conditur et Coelum Scandere posce Deum. A rectangular limestone graveslab (dims 2.05m x 1.09m; T 0.12m) in the nave has a raised heater-shaped shield at the centre that is divided by a line of chevrons. At least one goat taken from the Cheevers crest can be distinguished below the chevrons and the items above it could be boars’ heads from the Gough crest. There is a skull and cross-bones at the foot, but no inscription is discernible. It is also described by FitzGerald (1909-10) who does not provide the inscription, which is now illegible. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 July, 2014
- ME025-031003 Font
Description
In Athlumney church (ME025-031----). Cogan (1862-70, 2, 238-9) describes a broken font as ‘octagonal and unornamented, and measured in diameter about one foot eight inches (c. 0.45m). The pedestal (base) is a circular stone two feet one inch in diameter (c. 0.64m), the aperture of which measures in diameter eight inches (c. 0.2m).’ This is no longer present and its original position is not known. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 15 July, 2014
- ME025-032001 Castle - tower house
Description
This is a National Monument consisting of a tower house with a sixteenth or seventeenth century stone house (ME025-032002-) off-set to the NW and SW. There is a small wing between them that may have served as kitchens and servants quarters for the later house. The buildings are situated on a level landscape now within Navan town, with a SE-NW section of the River Boyne c. 200m to the SW. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Lawrence Dowdall owned 200 acres at Athlumney in 1640, and the property included ‘A castle and a large stone howse, a water mill and a tuck mill, two fishing weares, and a church and two open quarries’ (Simington 1940, 62). He also owned almost 180 acres at Allistonread (Alexander Reid) and 40 at Bellis (Bailis) in Athlumney parish (ibid. 62-4). Traditionally, the last occupant was Sir Launcelot Dowdall, who burnt it in despair when he heard the outcome of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 (Wilde 1850, 11-12), although Isaac Butler writing in the 1740s, attributed the burning to one of the Maguire family in order to prevent Cromwell from utilising it (1892, 24). The parish church of Athlumney (ME025-031----) is c. 80m to the W and the motte (ME025-033----) is c. 140m to the SW. The tower-house (ext. dims 10.2m NE-SW; 7.2m NW-SE) has three storeys and an attic with projecting rectangular corner towers. A plain round-headed doorway, now blocked, in the N tower leads directly to a newel stairs that has a cross-loop as a light and rises to a mezzanine level, which has chambers in the NE and NW walls. These are at the level of the NE-SW barrel-vault over the main chamber at the ground floor, but there is no access to the barrel-vault and no evidence that the vault had a loft floor. The original access to the ground floor chamber is by a passage through the W tower that communicates now with a passage in the later house, although a modern doorway in the SW wall leads directly to the ground floor chamber from outside. The newel stairs in the N tower leads through a round-headed doorway to the first floor over the vault that has enlarged windows in each wall except the NW which has none, and a fireplace in the SE wall. The chambers in the W and E towers have lintelled doorways and barrel-vaults, and there is a garderobe in the S chamber. A mural passage in the SW wall leads down to a chamber in the W tower that commands a murder-hole over the entrance to the ground floor chamber. The newel stairs in the N tower leads through a lintelled doorway to the second floor that that was supported on corbels in the SW and NE walls, and has a window in each wall except the SW which has none. The windows in the NE and NW walls have seats, but there is no fireplace. Lintelled doorways lead to the chambers in the E, S and W towers, that in the S being a garderobe, and a light in the W tower has an ogee-head. The newel stairs in the N tower continues to the wall-walk but the parapet does not survive. There were look-outs over the stairs housing and over the W and E towers, accessed by external stairs, but gables on the NE and SW walls are secondary as they are built over the wall-walks, as might be the case with a fireplace built against the NE face of the W tower. Archaeological testing (94E0114) by R. Meenan c. 65-90m distant NW-N-SE at the closest point produced no related material (excavations.ie 1994:193). Unlicenced archaeological monitoring by R. Meenan of a service trench under the road between the graveyard and the castles recorded no related material (excavations. ie:1998:500). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. This is a National Monument in state ownership, No. 287. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 28 June 2016
- ME025-032002 House - 16th/17th century
Description
This is a National Monument consisting of a tower house (ME025-032001-) with a sixteenth or seventeenth century house off-set to the NW and SW. There is a small wing between them that may have served as kitchens and servants quarters for the later house. The buildings are situated on a level landscape now within Navan town, with a SE-NW section of the River Boyne c. 200m to the SW. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Lawrence Dowdall owned 200 acres at Athlumney in 1640, and the property included ‘A castle and a large stone howse, a water mill and a tuck mill, two fishing weares, and a church and two open quarries’ (Simington 1940, 62). He also owned almost 180 acres at Allistonread (Alexander Reid) and 40 at Bellis (Bailis) in Athlumney parish (ibid. 62-4). Traditionally, the last occupant was Sir Launcelot Dowdall, who burnt it in despair when he heard the outcome of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 (Wilde 1850, 11-12), although Isaac Butler writing c. 1740, attributed the burning to one of the Maguire family in order to prevent Cromwell from utilising it (1892, 24). The parish church of Athlumney (ME025-031----) is c. 60m to the W. This is a four bay three storey structure (int. dims c. 23m NE-SW; 6.45m NE-SW) with a stairs return at the S end of the NW wall, which is lit by small rectangular windows with square hood-mouldings. A flat-arched doorway with a round-headed niche above it is in the middle of the SE wall, with two large plain and consolidated window openings on each side. The ground floor is divided by a cross-wall with one pointed doorway through it placed just S of the main entrance. The N chamber (int. dims 13.5m NE-SW; 6.45m NE-SW) may well include an entrance passage from the main doorway. It has a large fireplace that projects on the outside of the wall and two blocked windows on the NW wall, and a passage (int. dims 6.45m NW-SE; 3.15m NE-SW) N of this chamber leads to the ground floor of the tower house and may have housed another stairs. The S chamber also has an externally-projecting fireplace and two blocked windows on the NW wall but it also has a large fireplace with an oven on either side on the SW wall as well as access to the stairs return. The long walls are rebated to support the first floor but the joists appear to have been inserted into the NW and SW walls. At the first floor the SE wall has four large mullion and transom windows, each with six panels (3 over 3) and a square hood-moulding. The NW wall has four destroyed and consolidated windows and two fireplaces, while the SW wall has a magnificent mullion and transom oriel window of eight panels (4 over 4) with a fireplace beside it. The long walls are recessed for the second floor but the joists are set directly into the NE and SW walls. The second floor repeats the lay-out of the first except that the oriel window does not survive, and the large windows in the SE wall are partly within dormer gables that rise over them. In the narrow NE ‘passage’ there was an oriel window in the NE wall at this level but only the supporting machicolation survives. Abutting the house to the NE and between it and the tower house was a structure (int. dims 15.8m NE-SW; 4.9m NW-SE) of which only the NW and NE walls survive at the ground floor. There is a blocked doorway and three windows in the NW wall, an oven at the N angle and there may have been a fireplace in the NE wall. It had at least two storeys and may have served as a kitchen and servants quarters for the stone house. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. This is a National Monument in state ownership, No. 287. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 28 June 2016
- ME025-033 Castle - motte
Description
Located at the edge of a plateau overlookng a SE-NW section of the River Boyne c. 50m to the SW and c. 10m lower. Truncated and grass-covered cone of earth (diam. of top 12m; diam. of base 32m; H 4.7m at NW to 5.3m at SE) defined by slight traces of a fosse. The top has been quarried and evidence of a possible bailey was recorded in a trench cut in a 1976 excavation (Kelly 1982-3, 76-80). The parish church of Athlumney (ME025-031----) is c. 90m to the N and Athlumney tower house (ME025-032001-) is c. 140m to the NE. Archaeological testing (02E1178) of c. 1.5ha by E. O’Donovan c. 100m to the SE produced no related material (excavations.ie 2002:1421), but the enclosure (ME025-077----) was outside the tested area. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 2 June 2016
- ME025-049001 Souterrain
Description
Situated at the W edge of a fairly level landscape and at the crest of a steep SW-facing slope down (H c. 12m) to a SSE-NNW portion of the River Boyne. Two sections of souterrain passage c. 30m apart had been identified in the face of a sand and gravel quarry during a field inspection for an EIS in 1995. Archaeological testing (97E0322) by E. E. Sullivan in the wider development area (c. 7 ha) to the W and S failed to produce any related material (excavations.ie 1997:424), but the two souterrains (ME025-049001-; ME025-049002-) were investigated (98E0596) by C. Jones (1999) when two further portions of passage came to light c. 30m and c. 75m to the E (excavations.ie 1999:701) as well as evidence of a multi-phase settlement complex that was later investigated (07E0892) by J. Hession (excavations.ie 2007:1255). This souterrain (1) is in two portions. One is a short passage (L 2.1m NW-SE; Wth 0.94m; H 0.9m) which is truncated by the quarry face at N and whose side-walls consisted of upright slabs of slate with infilled spalls and horizontally laid thin slabs over the uprights to level up but no lintels survived. The entrance at SE must have been a drop entrance. About 6m to the W on the face of the quarry a chord (L 2m) of the wall of a beehive chamber survived to four courses. There were some deposits in the straight passage but no artefacts were recovered, and no habitation material or enclosing feature can be associated with it. This souterrain was backfilled after excavation but as the quarry area was used for dumping subsequently it was not identified in 2007 and its flimsy remains are probably no longer extant (Hession 2009, 26-7). (Jones 1999, 3-5) See the attached site plan (_01) from Hession (2009, fig. 10) and souterrain plan (_02) from Jones (1999, fig 4) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 March 2023 Jones, C. 1999 Archaeological Excavations of Souterrains and Associated Features at the IDA Business Park, Athlumney, Navan. Licence: 98E0596. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Sullivan, E. E. 1998 Archaeological Test Excavation at Athlumney House, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-049002 Souterrain
Description
Situated at the W edge of a fairly level landscape and at the crest of a steep SW-facing slope down (H c. 12m) to a SSE-NNW portion of the River Boyne. Two sections of souterrain passage c. 15m part had been identified in the face of a sand and gravel quarry during a field inspection for an EIS in 1995. Archaeological testing (97E0322) by E. E. Sullivan in the wider development area (c. 7 ha) failed to produce any related material (excavations.ie 1997:424), but the two souterrains (ME025-049001-; ME025-049002-) were investigated (98E0596) by C. Jones (1999) when two further portions of passage came to light c. 30m and c. 75m to the NE (excavations.ie1999:701) as well as evidence of a multi-phase settlement complex that was later investigated (07E0892) by J. Hession (excavations.ie 2007:1255). This souterrain (3) was c. 15m S of (ME025-049001-) and only the tops of the side-walls were exposed. It consists of the W wall of a passage (L 6.5m) that might have been entered at the N end but at the S end of the exposed passage there is either a small chamber or the passage might turn E. The sloping cut of the construction trench was also recorded in section, but no habitation material or enclosing feature can be associated with it. Four sherds of medieval pottery and some fragments of bone were recovered from the excavation trench that are not necessarily related to the souterrain, which is preserved in situ. The top of this souterrain was also uncovered by Hession (2009, 67) in his exploration of the area. (Jones 1999, 5, 6) See the attached site plan (_01) from Hession (2009, fig. 10) ) and souterrain plan (_02) from Jones (1999, fig. 16) Complied by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 March 2023 Jones, C. 1999 Archaeological Excavations of Souterrains and Associated Features at the IDA Business Park, Athlumney, Navan. Licence: 98E0596. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Sullivan, E. E. 1998 Archaeological Test Excavation at Athlumney House, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-049003 Souterrain
Description
Situated towards the W edge of a fairly level landscape and c. 30m from the crest of a steep SW-facing slope down (H c. 12m) to a SSE-NNW portion of the River Boyne. Two portions of souterrain passages (ME025-049001-; ME025-049002-) c. 15m part were found in preparing an EIS in 1995, but archaeological testing (97E0322) of the wider development area (c. 7 ha) to the W and S by E. Sullivan (1998) produced no further material (excavations.ie 1997:424). The two souterrains were excavated (98E0596) by C. Jones (1999) when two further portions of passage came to light c. 30m (ME025-049003-) and c. 75m (ME025-049004-) to the E and NE (excavations.ie1999:701) that were further investigated (07E0892) by J. Hession (excavations.ie 2007:1255). This souterrain (2) is c. 30m E of the first two discovered, and the final section that proved not to be a souterrain passage (4) is c. 45m NE of this one. No surface habitation material or enclosing feature can positively be associated with this souterrain. The souterrain was largely intact, apart from the removal of most of the lintels and the truncation of one of the two beehive chambers. The passage walls were composed in the main of large slate stones set on edge with spalls and horizontally-laid stones levelling up the walls which corbelled in close to the top. In the chambers the slate stones were laid horizontally and the walls corbelled in from the base. The construction trench was cut vertically and could be clearly distinguished 0.1-0.3m behind the wall stones. The entrance passage is a ramp (Wth c. 0.9m; L c. 1.5m) entered from the W that turned sharply N (L 3.8m; Wth 1m) and was probably lintelled originally from this point. This passage narrowed (Wth 0.8m) before turning W (L 5.9m; Wth 1m), with a drop-creep (dims 1m x 1m; D 0.8m) at its W end leading to a lower passage (L c. 3.5m; Wth 0.8-0.9m; H 1m) also extending W, although turning a little N. There are mortices in the N and S side-walls of the drop-creep at its top that could have provided a bedding for the hinges of a trap-door. The lower passage is the only one with its lintels intact and it joins a final passage (4) in a T-junction. This final passage extend SW (L 2.5m; Wth 0.8-0.9m; max. H 1.4m) before entering a circular chamber (original diam. c. 2.4-2.8m), about half of which had been removed by quarrying. From the T-junction the final passage also extended NE to a circular chamber (diam. 2.4-2.8m; max. surviving H 1.35m) whose walls corbelled in from the base. There is an air-vent (dims 0.3m x 0.3m; L 1.2m) 1.3m above the chamber floor across from the narrowed entrance and the air-vent debouched into a ditch which appears to originate here and is probably an original feature. Large upright stones were utilised as jamb-stones on the entrances to both chambers. Some thin deposits can be attributed to the use of the souterrain from which only a bone pin and some animal bones were recovered. Some blocking layers closed the entrance ramp but the roof of the upper E-W passage had also been breached and not repaired before that section of passage was ultimately de-lintelled. The remains of the souterrain were backfilled on completion of the work but as the quarry area was used for dumping subsequently, its location was only generally confirmed in 2007 (Hession 2009, 27). (Jones 1999, 7-13) See the attached site plan (_01) from Hession (2009, fig. 10) ) and souterrain plan (_02) from Jones (1999, fig. 18) Complied by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 March 2023 Jones, C. 1999 Archaeological Excavations of Souterrains and Associated Features at the IDA Business Park, Athlumney, Navan. Licence: 98E0596. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Sullivan, E. E. 1998 Archaeological Test Excavation at Athlumney House, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-049004 Field boundary
Description
Situated towards the W edge of a fairly level landscape and c. 90m from the crest of a steep SW-facing slope down (H c. 12m) to a SSE-NNW portion of the River Boyne. Two portions of souterrain passages (ME025-049001-; ME025-049002-) c. 15m apart were found in preparing and EIS in 1995, but archaeological testing (97E0322) of the wider development area (c. 7 ha) to the E and S by E. Sullivan (1998) produced no further material (excavations.ie 1997:424). Subsequently the two souterrains were excavated (98E0596) by C. Jones (1999) when one certain (ME025-049003-) and another possible portion (ME025-049004-) of souterrain passages came to light c. 30m and c. 75m to the NE (excavations.ie1999:701) of the original discoveries that were further investigated (07E0892) by J. Hession (excavations.ie 2007:1255). This possible souterrain (4) is c. 75m NE of the first two discovered and no habitation level or enclosing feature was associated with it, but it proved to be a wall. It was first discovered by Jones (1999) in testing the wider area around the original discoveries and it was exposed only in the side of one trench within the habitation soils. It manifested as a drystone wall of three courses (L c. 1.5m; H c. 0.4m) with an uneven face that was set in a loamy clay immediately below the topsoil and was thought to be the hidden or rear edge of a souterrain wall. It was in a continuous layer in which archaeological trenching by Jones identified two hearths and many ditches that had some stratigraphic relationships and from which significant artefacts like a glass bead and fragments of jet bracelets were recovered. (Jones 1999, 13-17) When Hession (2009, 59-60) explored (07E0892) this area he encountered a substantial ditch (Wth 3.79m; D 1.38m) with a steep W side, a stepped E side and a wall over its top fill that extended N-S (L 12.5m plus). This was the feature identified by Jones, but no dating material relating to it was recovered. Hession (ibid. 58-61) removed the topsoil over the entire area (excavation.ie 2007:1255) but an enclosing ditch that might have encompassed the souterrains was not encountered. However, he uncovered the upper surfaces of 52 ditches and linear features, 9 post-holes, 9 pits and 12 occupation deposits in a fairly limited area (dims c. 80m x c. 40m). The major ditches can be co-related between the two excavations. One E-W V-shaped ditch (Wth of top 2.97m; D 1.5m; L 15.8m) with a stone wall set in its upper fill was sampled but produced no dating material. A sample excavation (dims 18m x 7.5m) necessitated by the development produced evidence of five phases. A sherd of souterrain ware was recovered from the basal fill of the earliest ditch (Wth of top 0.7m; D 0.8m) suggesting a later first millennium AD date. Later features included other ditches, pits and linear features, but no firmer dating material was recovered. The large ditches appear to be the remnants of a field system attached to the burial ground and enclosure (ME025-078----) further to the NE, but all the features are preserved in situ beneath a geo-textile membrane and introduced soils in the carpark of the new development. (Hession 2009, 59-66) See the attached site plan from Hession (2009, Fig. 7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 30 March 2023 Jones, C. 1999 Archaeological Excavations of Souterrains and Associated Features at the IDA Business Park, Athlumney, Navan. Licence: 98E0596. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. Sullivan, E. E. 1998 Archaeological Test Excavation at Athlumney House, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-077 Enclosure
Description
Situated on a slight W-facing slope c. 100m from the steep slope down (H c. 10m) to a SE-NW section of the River Boyne, and on land that was on the demesne of Violet Hill, originally a small Georgian house of c. 1790 (buildingsofireland.ie 14010044) that is c. 150m to the NNW. The cropmark of an oval enclosure (dims c. 30m NW-SE; c. 22m NE-SW) defined by a single fosse, with possible quarries on the perimeter at NE and S, is visible on OSI images (1995) and on Google Earth (14/07/2018). There are possible entrances at N and S but no internal features are visible. Although it is in an area that was archaeologically tested (02E1178) by E. O’Donovan (excavations.ie 2002:1421), trenching did not extend to this area. It was first reported by Steven McGlade. See the attached enhanced view from OSI images (1995) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 October 2021
- ME025-078 Burial ground
Description
INTRODUCTION: Situated on a slight rise in a fairly level landscape, and c. 130m from the crest of a steep SW-facing slope down (H c. 12m) to a SSE-NNW portion of the River Boyne. Archaeological monitoring (97E0322) by M. McQuaid in 2007 of engineering pits in a large development site led to the identification of a dense concentration of archaeological features in this area but as the proposed building was to be re-located to the site of a modern quarry and closer to Bóthar Sion to the NW it was determined that the archaeological investigation (07E0892) directed by J. Hession (2009) between October 2007 and February 2008 would be limited to the removal of topsoil and the recording of the revealed features in an effort to elucidate their stratigraphic relationships. This was combined with a judicious sampling of the more important features (excavations.ie 2007:1255). This investigation was also informed by the results of an excavation (97E0322 ext.) conducted by M. McQuade (2007) on the route of a N-S link road (excavations.ie 2007:1254) immediately to the E that related directly to the central area investigated by Hession (2009). The entire complex S Bóthar Sion and W of the link-road is now preserved in situ beneath a carpark where it is protected by a geo-textile membrane and introduced soils while a grass-covered mound (diam. 45m; H 1.3m) has been raised over the burial ground. SUMMARY: Hession’s work identified a complex of features from a multi-period monument in which four principal periods can be isolated. A possible Bronze Age rectangular enclosure (ME025-079----) can be combined directly with McQuade’s findings and constitutes Period 1. The partial remains of a subcircular Iron Age enclosure (ME025-078001-) represents Period 2. Period 3 encompasses early medieval activity including a burial ground (ME025-078----) with two enclosing features. This is combined with habitation and the addition of a third enclosing fosse. The early medieval activity to the SW (ME025-049004-) is broadly contemporary with this period while the three souterrains further SW may be slightly later. Period 4 is represented by post-medieval agricultural activity, principally in the form of furrows which truncate most of the earlier features. BURIAL GROUND: A central circular enclosure (int. diam. c. 20m) defined by a fosse (Wth 4.2m; D 1.7m) encloses an area that was characterized by multiple intercutting domestic features which were truncated by the use of the enclosure for burial in the first millennium AD. There were 11 pits, a hearth or kiln, 5 linear features, 6 slot-trenches and 6 post-holes, and some of these features were cut by the ditch. The central enclosure is separated by a berm (Wth 4-14m) from a second enclosure (int. diam. c. 39-44m) defined by a fosse (Wth 3.4m; D 1.25m). This middle enclosure is within a third enclosure (int. diam. c. 70m) which surrounds the central and middle enclosures in an elliptical fashion but it cannot be traced E-SW. This ditch cuts the enclosing fosse of the Iron Age enclosure (ME02-078001-), but its relationship with the field boundaries (ME025-049004-) to the SW cannot be established. A radial ditch at SW connects the inner and middle ditches, and six ditches connect the middle with the outer ditch at W. The central enclosure and the area between the inner and middle enclosures is occupied with domestic material – pits, kilns, ditches, slot-trenches and hearths – which are less in evidence between the middle and outer enclosures. There is no evidence that there were upstanding banks or that any of the enclosures had uncut causeway entrances. (Hession 2009, 38-41) ENCLOSURE: The central enclosure and its ditch held 25 supine interments aligned E-W with the heads at W. Eighteen, of which seven were slab-lined burials, were confined to the interior and the others were either partially or wholly in the fosse. The burials were not excavated but amongst them could be recognised one infant, one young child, two older children, one adolescent, three young adults, a man and a woman less than 35 years old at time of death and one person older than 45 years. This is interpreted as a family burial ground. (Hession 2009, 42-8) The middle enclosure (int. dims 44m x 39m) contained 17 possible ditches, 3 pits, 38 slot-trenches and eight occupation deposits. The slot-trenches probably represent multiple rebuilds but not a single structure could be identified. The enclosing ditch (Wth of top 3.8m; D 1.25m) had a channel (Wth 0.4m; D 0.33m) at the base. Post-holes had been cut in the inner and outer slopes of the ditch, and a wall composed of large stones was in the upper fills of the fosse at S. An entrance was not identified but the enclosing fosse could not be identified at E-SE because of covering silts and modern quarries. The outer enclosure (int. diam. c. 60m) was defined by a fosse SW-N-E but the perimeter could not be traced elsewhere because of overlying layers. The outer and middle enclosures were linked by 6 radial ditches in the SW-NW area. Most of the 29 slot-trenches, 28 post-holes, 12 occupation deposits, 24 linear features, and 8 pits between the two enclosures were either in the NW area where there was a kiln or hearth or the SW segment. The ditch (Wth of top 5.6m; D 1.3m) had a rounded base with two channels at the bottom (Hession 2009, 52-5). DATING: Samples from the basal fills of the inner and middle ditches returned C14 dates of 534-606 cal. AD (UBA-11139) and 422-535 cal. AD (UBA-11140) respectively. A third fosse was placed eccentrically around the inner two which could only be traced SW-N-E, creating a third enclosure (int. diam. c. 70m). A sample from this ditch provided a C14 date of 603-657 cal. AD (UBA-11142) suggesting that all three enclosures were in use within a 200 year period, although the excavator considers the inner and middle fosses to be closely contemporary and primary. A sample from a ditch to the SW provided a slightly later date of C14 date of 678-789 cal. BC (UBA-11141), intimating that the further features were from the centre the later in date they might be. See the attached site plans from Hession (2009, figs 5, 6) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 March 2023 Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. McQuade, M. 2007 Archaeological Monitoring and Excavation, Athlumney, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322ext. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-078001 Enclosure
Description
A subcircular Iron Age enclosure (int. dim. c. 45m E-W) is defined by a wide fosse (Wth of top c. 3-6m) that is recorded E-S-W but its N extent lies outside the exposed area or could underlie alluvial soils that were the topmost deposits. It is located just NE of the burial ground (ME025-078----) and just 5m W of the prehistoric rectilinear enclosure (ME025-079----). Its perimeter fosse is cut by the third outermost fosse surrounding the burial ground. A section through the U-shaped ditch (Wth of top 4.2m; D 1.82m) provided a sample from a middle layer that yielded a C14 date of 255-392 cal. AD (UBA-11143). The sampled section showed this ditch cutting an earlier ditch (Wth 1.8m; D 1.1m) and was itself post-dated by a later linear ditch (Wth 1m; D 0.6m). Fifty five features were recorded within the enclosure, including 3 possible corn-drying kilns, 32 possible slot-trenches, 7 post-holes, 3 pits and 3 spreads. Despite the great number of slot-trenches no structures could be identified and most were probably re-iterations of wind-breaks or small shelters, even though no hearths as such were recorded. Two of the kilns were figure-of-eight shaped (L 1.9m x 0.4-1m: L 3.2m; Wth 1.2-1.3m) and one was keyhole-shaped (diam. 1.4m; L 2.3m). (Hession 2009, 35-38) See the attached site plans from Hession (2009, figs 5, 7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 March 2023 Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-079 Enclosure
Description
INTRODUCTION: Situated on a fairly level landscape. Archaeological testing and excavation (97E0322 ext.) by M. McQuade (2007) in January to March 2007 on the route of a N-S link-road through an IDA Business Park recorded (excavations.ie 2007:1254) the NE end of a rectilinear enclosure (int. dims c. 38m NE-SW; c. 32m NW-SE) defined by single fosses or ditches (at SW: Wth of top c. 2.5m). In the strip (dims 50m N-S; 20m E-W) excavated by McQuade three hut-sites, an external ring-ditch and several other ditches and pits were recorded. Four phases of occupation were recognised that dated from the Late Neolithic, later prehistory, the Early Medieval Period and the post-medieval. The SW extent of this enclosure was revealed by Hession (2009, 32-4) who recorded two slot-trenches at the SW edge of the interior, but much of the centre was obscured by an unstripped haul road between the excavations. There was a small entrance gap in the fosses at the N angle, but a more viable entrance might exist in the unexcavated and unexposed parts either on either the NW or SE sides. McQuade completely excavated the NE portion of the rectangular enclosure, but the rest is preserved in situ beneath introduce soils. ENCLOSURE: On McQuade’s excavation the earliest features were three cooking pits (dims 0.6m x 0.38; D 0.12m to 1.05m x 0.86m; D 0.08m) with charcoal-rich fills that had fire-shattered stones, although the bases were not fire-reddened, and a section of a ditch (Wth 1.84m; D 0.38m). The presence of the pits might be fortuitous but a C14 date of 2851-2463 cal. BC (UBA-8093) was returned from one of them, placing them at the end of the Neolithic. Period 2 is represented by portions of three fosses defining a rectangular enclosure (int. dims c. 38m NE-SW; c. 32m NW-SE), the SW edge of which was recorded by Hession (2009). The SE ditch (Wth 2.1m; D 0.64m) had five fills where sampled but no dating material was recovered. Structure 3 (dims c. 9m NE-SW; c. 6m NW-SE), the only contemporary structure, backs on to the NE enclosing fosse and is represented by two slot-trenches, although its S side is entirely absent. A prehistoric date is suggested only because it is later than the Late Neolithic pits and earlier than the two Early Medieval hut-sites (ME025-079002-). See the attached plans from Hession _01, _02 (2009, figs 5, 6) and McQuaid _03, _04 (2007, figs 5, 7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 March 2023 Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. McQuade, M. 2007 Archaeological Monitoring and Excavation, Athlumney, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322ext. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-079001 Ring-ditch
Description
Just outside the N angle of the rectilinear enclosure (ME025-079----) an arc of a ditch (L 15m; Wth 1.5m; D 0.54m) amounting to about a quarter of its total extent was excavated. Its N extent had been destroyed by quarrying but it does not return at the E edge where a narrow pit (L 1.5m; Wth 0.5m; D 0.15m) that could represent its continuation is cut by a later pit so its connection with the arced ditch cannot be established. Its main curve had a single fill of silty clay that contained some animal bones identified as sheep/goat, but no dateable material was recovered. Its location outside the possible entrance to the rectilinear enclosure suggests that they may be contemporary. (McQuade 2007, 14-15) See the attached plans from Hession (_01, _02) (2009, figs 5, 6) and McQuade (_03) (2007, fig. 5) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 March 2023 McQuade, M. 2007 Archaeological Monitoring and Excavation, Athlumney, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322ext. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
- ME025-079002 Hut site
Description
Two phases of Early Medieval activity are recorded in the area of the rectilinear enclosure. Structure 2 is a circular hut-site (int. diam. c. 5m) defined by a curving slot-trench (L 7.25m; Wth 0.25-0.5m; max. D 0.18m), most of which is within the excavated area. One post-hole was inside a wide entrance gap (Wth 2.1m) at SSE. Structure 1 was located just S of Structure 2 and is largely outside the excavated area to the SW but is thought to be later than Structure 2. It was represented by the arcs of slot-trenches of a circular hut-site (diam. c. 6m) with a wide entrance (Wth c. 2.3m) at NE, which is adjacent to the entrance to Structure 2. The entrance has a porch wall extending outwards (L 2.5m) on the E side. A sample from the S curving slot-trench provided a C14 date of Cal. AD 551-643 (UBA-8092), making the hut-sites contemporary with the burial ground (ME025-078----), c. 80m to the WSW. See the attached plans from Hession (_01, _02) (2009, figs 5, 6) and McQuade (_03) (2007, fig. 5) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 31 March 2023 Hession, J. 2009 Final Archaeological Report for the multiphase archaeological landscape preserved in situ at IDA Business and Technology Park, Dublin, Rd., Navan, Co. Meath. Licence: 07E0892. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co. McQuade, M. 2007 Archaeological Monitoring and Excavation, Athlumney, Co. Meath. Licence: 97E0322ext. Unpublished report, Margaret Gowen & Co.
Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Works at or in relation to a recorded monument need two months' written notice to the National Monuments Service (National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, section 12).
Homes sold
Property Price Register
- Athlumney, Navan8 sales
The townland
- Name
- Athlumney · Áth Luimnigh
- Area
- 2,407,803 m² (240.78 ha, 594.98 acres)
- Civil parish
- Athlumney, and its townlands
- Barony
- Skreen
- Electoral division
- Navan Rural, the unit of the census
- Neighbouring townlands
- Alexander Reid, Bailis, Balreask Old, Blackcastle Demesne, Dillonsland, Ferganstown And Ballymacon, Johnstown, Kilcarn, Limekilnhill, Townparks
- Placenames
- Athlumney on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland
Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. A townland is the smallest land division of Ireland, and the unit of a rural address; old registers such as the 1901 and 1911 censuses file it under its civil parish and barony.