Roestown

170 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Roestown, from 20 m² to 704,753 m² (70.48 ha, 174.15 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary; 58 neighbouring parcels touch it.

Download the townland: DXF, in Irish Transverse Mercator metres, with its boundary, parcels and buildings; GeoJSON or KML.

• P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 120 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027, Meath · 97 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1F1 - Open Space (Open space, park)
  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.

• 11 Aug 2026N/a

  The development will consist of (A) The partial demolition of the existing dwelling and upgrade works to the retained portion of the dwelling; (B) Construction of a 160sq.m extension, physically connected to the retained portion of the existing dwelling; (C) Installation of a proposed new waste-water treatment system, including a raised percolation area and the decommissioning and removal of the existing septic tank; (D) Upgrade and improvement of the existing site entrance to a boundary wall and gated access to facilitate the proposed development; (E) Internal site footpaths, hard and soft landscaping; (F) and all ancillary site works associated with the above

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2661010

• 3 Dec 2025Refused

  The development will consist of (A) The partial demolition of an existing dwelling and upgrade works to the retained section of the existing dwelling; (B) Construction of a new two-storey extension, physically connected to the retained portion of the existing dwelling; (C) Installation of a proprietary waste-water treatment system, including a raised percolation area; (D) Upgrade and improvement of the existing vehicular site entrance and new front boundary treatment to R147, to facilitate the proposed development; (E) and all ancillary site works associated with the above.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2561318

• 4 Jul 2025Conditional

  the development will consist of a proposed single storey extension to the side of the existing single storey dwelling. Retention permission is sought for the construction of a flat roof porch to the front elevation, the conversion of the attic space to a store room and shower room along with all associated site works and services.

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560695

• 20 Mar 2025Unconditional

  EXTENSION OF DURATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION ON FILE REF No: RA190382 - demolition of existing single storey dwelling for the construction of one no. detached two storey dwelling, eight no. two storey semi-detached dwellings, relocation and upgrade of existing vehicular entrance to serve development, public open space and footpaths, connection to public services and all associated site works

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2547

• 25 Feb 2025N/a

  the development will consist of demolition of existing detached flat roof Barbeque Structure and associated patio area and construction of a new single storey detached flat roof home office/Playroom structure in rear/side garden together with all ancillary site works & landscaping

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2560176

• 30 Sept 2024Refused

  the development will consist of: a part 2 story, part single story dwelling and detached domestic garage, existing residential entrance to be upgraded to a dual entrance to service proposed dwelling and existing dwelling, driveway, septic tank and percolation area, landscaping and all associated works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 2460800

• 21 Jun 2024Conditional

  the retention of nineteen advertisement structures fixed to car park side of existing road boundary walls either side of the existing entrance

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2460454

• 21 Jun 2024Conditional

  the retention of two advertisement structures fixed to the existing entrance splayed walls either side of the existing entrance

  Retention · Meath County Council, 2460459

• 18 Dec 2023Conditional

  The proposed development will consist of amendments to part of the residential scheme granted planning permission under register reference 21/2329 including (i) change of house design for terrace of houses on site no.’s 13 – 17, (ii) revised communal parking and turning bay arrangement to serve sites 13 – 17, (iii) revised boundary treatments including new 6m high ball-stop netting along entire shared boundary with Pitch and Putt Club to the East of the site and (iv) associated site works to facilitate proposed amendments.

  Permission, 5 homes · Meath County Council, 2360485

• 27 Jan 2023Conditional

  the development will consist of the following as part of general renovations to the existing house: Removing sunroom to the south east side of the house and replacement with a new two storey extension; Providing a single storey extension to the rear of the house; New rooflights to existing pitched roofs to the front and rear, Elevational changes including modifications to existing roof and window and door openings; New windows and doors; New external wall instalation with render finish; Internal alterations; All associated siteworks and drainage

  Permission · Meath County Council, 2375

• 7 Mar 2022Conditional

  1. New dwelling and garage. 2. New entrance. 3. Landscaping & all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 22291

• 24 Feb 2022N/a

  1. New dwelling and garage. 2. New entrance. 3. Landscaping & all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 22238

• 18 Feb 2022N/a

  1. New dwelling and garage. 2. New entrance. 3. Wastewater Treatment system with percolation area. 4. Landscaping & all associated site works

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, 22211

• 13 Dec 2021Conditional

  the demolition of existing house and garage and the construction of 14 no. 3 bed terraced dwellings and 3 no. 2 bed terraced dwellings. Provision of new service road and hammerhead through the new development to join with entrance point onto Drumree Road, all ancillary and associated site works including connection to existing site services, new internal site service roads, footpaths, associated landscaping and open space, including the provision of low walls and railings to the front, private garden, boundary walls to the rear and associated low walls and fences to open space areas to enclose same

  Permission, 17 homes · Meath County Council, 212329

• 16 Jan 2020Conditional

  amendments to a permitted residential scheme (Reg. Ref. DA120987, An Bord Pleanala Reg. Ref. PL17.241988}, overall comprising of a 142no. residential scheme, a creche and associated site services. The development comprises amendments to 57 no. 2 storey houses and alterations to the site development and landscape works. These amendments are ) house type changes to 21 no. dwellings, and b)the provision of a new cycleway through the site southwards from the Drumree Road and the consequential repositioning of 42. no dwellings required to accommodate that cycleway; together with associated site development and landscape works. The number of permitted dwellings remains unchanged. Permission for Retention and Completion is sought for House Type changes to permitted units located to the north of the Drumree Road, comprising of: - 6no. House Type A (4-Bed semi-detached) replaced with 6no. House Type B (3-bed semi-detached), 2no. House Type D1 (3-bed semi-detached) replaced with 2no. House Type D1 (3-bed terraced), 1 no. House Type D1 (3-bed detached) replaced with 1 no. House Type Dl (3-bed terraced), 1no. House type D1 (3-bed detached) replaced with 1no. House Type D7 (3-bed semi-detached),1 no. House type D3 (3-bed detached) replaced with 1 no. House Type D3 (3-bed semi-detached), 2no. House Type D1 (3-bed detached) replaced with 2no. House Type D1 (3-bed terraced), 1 no. House type D3 (3 bed detached with rear extension) replaced with 1 no. House Type D8 (3-bed terraced with bay window), 1no. House type D3 (3-bed detached with rear extension) replaced with 1no. House Type D8 (3-bed detached with bay window). All house types are 2 storey and rear extensions are 1 storey. Permission for Retention and Completion is also sought for layout amendments and House Type Changes to the south of the Drumree Road comprising of:- Addition of cycleway through the site along the internal road, known as 'Dun Rioga Avenue' to create a cycle route from Drumree Road to the south-west of the development site; provision of Part M ramp access to permitted House Nos. 79 -86; repositioning of 42 no. units (Units 91-114 and Units 143 -160), which includes the change of house type of 6no. House Type A (4-Bed semi-detached) replaced with 6no. House Type B (3-bed semi-detached); rearrangement of public open space along Drumree Road to form a new boundary wall and the provision of a cycle lane along Drumree Road; all ancillary site development and landscape works

  Permission, 21 homes · Meath County Council, RA200041

• 21 Jun 2019Unconditional

  EXTENSION OF DURATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION DA120987 - 142 residential units in two residential character areas, a creche and associated site works

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Meath County Council, RA190815

• 3 Apr 2019Conditional

  demolition of existing single storey dwelling for the construction of one no. detached two storey dwelling, eight no. two storey semi-detached dwellings, relocation and upgrade of existing vehicular entrance to serve development, public open space and footpaths, connection to public services and all associated site works

  Permission, 9 homes · Meath County Council, RA190382

• 21 Mar 2019Conditional

  demolition of existing dwelling for the construction of new two storey dwelling, upgrade/widening of existing vehicular entrance, connection to mains services, landscaping and all associated site works. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission, 1 home · Meath County Council, RA190311

• 22 Dec 2017Conditional

  a proposed new recessed agricultural field entrance and all ancillaries. Significant further information/revised plans submitted on this application

  Permission · Meath County Council, RA171525

• 11 Dec 2017Conditional

  EXTENSION OF DURATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION REF. NO. DA/120987 - 142 residential units in two residential character areas and associated site works

  Extension of duration, 1 home · Meath County Council, RA171431

• 9 Oct 2017Conditional

  the development will consist of planning permission sought for a replacement dwelling to include the demolition of an existing single storey dwelling house comprising a floor area of 125sqm and provision of a 1no. replacement comprising: single storey, 4-bedroom dwelling with part open mezzanine level to the rear comprising a total floor area of 275sqm including all associated elevation treatments, roof lights and roof mounted solar panels single storey garden maintenance building to the rear of the property, comprising a total floor area of 34sqm and all associated site development works on a site of 0.5ha, including landscaping and drainage connections to existing local authority system

  Permission, 2 homes · Meath County Council, RA171176

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 the townland of Roestown.

Recorded monuments

• ME038-073 Fulacht fia
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape. Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0415) by J. Dempsey of Testing Area 1, Contract 2, prior to the construction of the M3 motorway (excavations.ie: 2004:1336) identified burnt mound material, which was completely excavated (E003054) by L. Cagney as Roestown 1 in October-November 2005. A mound (dims 7m x 6m; H c. 0.1-0.15m) of broken and burnt stones in a black matrix had NE-SW and NW-SE ploughmarks of post-medieval date cut across its upper surface. The mound is probably associated with a N-S linear spread (Wth c. 1.8m; T 0.08m) of similar material c. 2m to its W. The linear spread was cut on its W side by a N-S drainage ditch (Wth 2.2m; D 0.7m). The ditch had two stony fills and produced flint debitage, a hollow scraper and a water-rolled stone that may have been used in polishing. A bone from the primary layer of the ditch yielded a C14 date of 1530-1950 cal. AD (BETA 214638) showing that the ditch is modern. The topsoil also produced a large amount of flint debitage and a hollow-based arrowhead, while a perforated bone bead came from a layer of redeposited material. The mound was just N of two flat-bottomed troughs, one circular (diam. 1.13-1.32m; D 0.13m) with a single fill of black silty clay that has burnt stone and charcoal inclusions, the other subcircular (dims 1.59m x 1.3m; D 0.3m) with two fills of silty clay that had varying amounts of charcoal flecking but no burnt stone. The smaller trough produced a C14 date of 2340-2260 cal. BC BETA 241302), while the larger yielded a date of 2460-2140 cal. BC (BETA 241303) from alder charcoal in its primary fill where a flint flake and core were also recovered. This places its use firmly at the beginning of the Early Bronze Age. There was also a round-bottomed pit (diam. 1.74m; D 0.54m) with a clay lining and a fill of black silty clay that may have been designed to retain water, and there was also a short, slightly curved, N-S gully (L 1.75m; Wth 0.55m; D 0.1m). There were 15 stake-holes beneath the mound, but no pattern was discernible amongst them. (Cagney and Ginn 2009) See the attached plan from Cagney and Ginn (2009, fig. 7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 21 April, 2022

• ME038-074 Enclosure
  Description

  Situated at the outer edge of a slight shelf in a fairly level landscape with a slight slope down SE-W-NW and a slight rise to the N. A small E-W canalised stream just to the S is one of the headwaters of the S-N River Skane. This area was first identified as a complex of archaeological features in a gradiometer survey (00R0064) by GSB Prospection (2001, 11-12) at Area 28/29 on the route of the proposed M3 motorway. Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0415) by J. Dempsey of Testing Area 1, Contract 2, prior to the construction of the motorway (excavations.ie: 2004:1336) confirmed the archaeological material, which was completely excavated (E003055) within the road-take by R. O’Hara as Roestown 2 between September 2005 and March 2007 (excavations.ie 2006:1634). It consists of two areas separated by the existing NNW-SSE N3 Navan to Dublin road, a triangular area (A) at NE where an area of almost 9000 square metres was opened, and a subrectangular area (B) at SW where about 12000 square meters were excavated. Each area was occupied by a sequence of early medieval enclosures that were in use from the beginning of the seventh century through to the eleventh century AD, with limited use into the thirteenth, but lithic artefacts characteristic of those from the Mesolithic to the Early Bronze Age occurred as residual material throughout. Three major early medieval phases were recognised that can be applied to Area A with Phases 4 and 5 extending into the High Middle Ages: Phase 1 (c. 600-630); Phase 2 (630-710); Phase 3 (c. 650-780). In Area A, E of the existing road, Enclosure 2 represents the earliest activity within this area and can be assigned to Phase 1 in the late sixth or early seventh century. It is an oval penannular enclosure (dims 35 E-W; 20m N-S) defined by a single V-shaped ditch (Wth of top 0.7-2.2m; D 0.4m), best preserved at W. There is a wide gap (Wth c. 13m) at SE, probably caused by the erosion of the enclosing feature. Bone finds from the ditch included a fragment of a double-sided comb and a possible skate-blade. Two sherds of imported E-ware suggest a sixth century date. The ditch had one major V-shaped re-cut (max. Wth 1.4m; D 0.4m) with a possible entrance at SE. This yielded animal bones with some metal slag and charred oats and barley. A bone pin or needle fragment, an iron key and another unidentified iron object were also recovered. This enclosure is not associated with any structures and it was replaced by the large rectangular Enclosure 3 during Phase 2. (O’Hara 2009, 10-11; 2009a) See the attached plans from GBS Prospection (2001, fig. A64) _1 and O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 44, 45, Pl 2) _1 Prospection data; _2 Area A Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _4 Phase 2; _6 Aerial view; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074001 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area A the construction of Enclosure 3 initiates Phase 2 in the mid-seventh century. This is a large subrectangular area (dims c. 45m E-W; c. 42m N-S) defined on the N side by a U-shaped ditch (Wth 1.95m; D 1.1m), to which only three deposits could be assigned. Recovered artefacts include a bone awl, a hone stone, and a gaming board of limestone that is incised with thirteen full squares. There were plenty of animal bones and the articulated skeleton of a chicken returned a radiocarbon date of 647-775 cal. AD (BETA 219002). This ditch was re-cut and a bone from the articulated skeleton of a pig yielded a date of 580-765 cal. AD (BETA 219005). Bone fragments of pins or needles were recovered from this phase as well as iron knives. On the SE side the enclosure was formed by a ditch (Wth of top 1.6m; D 1m) to which only six, unproductive layers are assigned. It was re-cut once with four equally unproductive deposits. At SW the ditch (L 17m; Wth 2m; D 1m) was largely removed by a modern quarry, and only four unproductive layers are associated with it. The entire enclosure was provided with a new fosse that enclosed a slightly larger area (dims 52m E-W; 42m N-S) in Phase 2C. At N a ditch (L 45m; Wth 2.9m; D 1m) was placed slightly inside the line of the original. Its nine deposits had a large quantity of bones, but an iron knife and another unidentified iron object were the only artefacts apart from some prehistoric flints. On the S side the ditch (L 38m; Wth 3m; D 0.9m) removed most of the earlier ditches here but its four fills produced a large amount of animal bone as well as antler and bone pins and points, and antler stamps. A simple bowl lamp and an iron strike-a-light were also recovered. There was one piece of silver off-cut and a copper-alloy binding strip. A spread of humus with charcoal produced bone pins or needles and a C14 date of 684-887 cal. AD (BETA 229293), but no structures can be associated with the enclosure and nor has an entrance been identified. A ditch (L 20m; Wth 1.4-2.2m; D 1.25m) extended S from the S ditch of Enclosure 3 but does not constitute an enclosure. It produced a large quantity of animal bones, especially cattle skulls. Fragments of bone double-sided comb were also recovered from it. (O’Hara 2009, 12-15, 17; 2009a) True location: ITM (695744, 753918) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 45, 47) _2 Site plan; _4 Phase 2; _5 Phase 3; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074002 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area A Enclosure 4, a rectangular area (int. dims 13m NE-SW; 10m NW-SE) defined by a V-shaped ditch (Wth c. 1.6m; D 0.6m), was placed centrally within Enclosure 3 in the high medieval period (Phase 5), suggesting that the outline of Enclosure 3 might still have been visible. This enclosure has no identifiable entrance, but the four fills of the ditch indicate that a short occupation was followed by a lengthy period of silting. The primary deposit of silt produced a spearhead and a sherd of Dublin ware, and a horse bone provided a C14 date of 1450-1635 cal. AD (BETA 219004). Within the enclosure a pit (dims 2.45m x 2.3m; D 0.48m), perhaps the only survivor of many, produced a lot of animal bone together with charcoal and charred seeds. It also contained two complete bone pins, glazed pottery, and an iron blade fragment. Also within this deposit were a hone stone, a retouched flint object and what might be a saddle quern. (O’Hara 2009, 15-16; 2009a) True location: ITM (695766, 753917) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 48) _2 Site plan; _6 Phase 5 Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074003 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area A Enclosure 5 was a circular area (diam. c. 20m) outside Enclosure 2 at SE during Phase 1, and it was defined by three slight curvilinear sections of a ditch (L 10m; Wth 0.6m; D 0.35m: L 9m; Wth 0.9m; D 0.3m: L 9m; Wth 1.2m; D 0.25m). It abutted the SE edge of Enclosure 2 and a terminal of the smaller enclosure alters direction to avoid cutting a terminal of the larger, suggesting that primacy belongs to Enclosure 2. No internal features associated with this enclosure are recognised and no artefacts of note are recorded from the ditches. (O’Hara 2009, 16; 2009a) True location: ITM (695736, 753908) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009 figs 9, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1 Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009 Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074004 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area A Enclosure 6 (int. dims 17m NW-SE; 10m NE-SW) was outside Enclosure 2 on the NE side during Phase 2. It was defined by a single ditch (Wth 1.63m; D 0.54m) with a large opening (Wth c. 15.5m) at SW facing towards Enclosure 2. The ditch was cut by the N ditch of Enclosure 3 during Phase 2, and had a single fill with inclusions of animal bone, but the articulated skeleton of a dog was at its base. A sample from the dog returned a C14 date of 605-769 cal. AD (BETA 219003). The only artefact recovered was a flint convex end-scraper. (O’Hara 2009, 16-17; 2009a) True location: ITM (695736, 753942) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1 Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074005 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area A an arcing ditch (L 16m; Wth 0.75m; D 0.55m) may have linked the fosses of Enclosures 2 and 6 during Phase 2, curving out further E than Enclosure 6 and constituting Enclosure 7. The surviving section of fosse was cut at N by the N ditch of Enclosure 3 during Phase 2. The single fill of the ditch had inclusions of charred barley grain as well as hazel and oak charcoal. The curving ditch enclosed a number of gullies and two human burials, but none of these features could be stratigraphically related to the curving ditch from which no artefacts were recovered. (O’Hara 2009, 17; 2009a) True location: ITM (695766, 753931) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1 Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-074006 Burial
  Description

  Two poorly preserved human burials that had been damaged by post-medieval ploughing were within the area of Enclosure 7, but they could not be linked through stratigraphy with any other features and the remains were not suitable for radiocarbon dating. Burial 1 was a juvenile of indeterminate sex that had probably been supine and aligned W-E. Burial 2 was an adult of unknown sex and only fragments of the skull and arm bones remained. (O’Hara 2009, 40; 2009a) True location: 695766, 753931) See the attached plans from O'Hara (2009, figs 9, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1 Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 25 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated at the outer edge of a slight shelf in a fairly level landscape with a slight slope down SE-W-NW and a slight rise to the N. A small E-W canalised stream just to the S is one of the headwaters of the S-N River Skane. This area was first identified as a complex of archaeological features in a gradiometer survey (00R0064) by GSB Prospection (2001, 11-12) at Area 28/29 on the route of the proposed M3 motorway. Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0415) by J. Dempsey of Testing Area 1, Contract 2, prior to the construction of the motorway (excavations.ie: 2004:1336) confirmed the archaeological material, which was completely excavated (E003055) within the road-take by R. O’Hara as Roestown 2 between September 2005 and March 2007 (excavations.ie 2006:1634). It consists of two areas separated by the existing NNW-SSE N3 Navan to Dublin road, a triangular area (A) at NE where an area of almost 9000 square metres was opened, and a subrectangular area (B) at SW where about 12000 square meters were excavated. Each area was occupied by a sequence of early medieval enclosures that were in use from the mid-sixth century through to the eleventh century AD, with limited use into the thirteenth, but lithic artefacts characteristic of those from the Mesolithic to the Early Bronze Age occurred as residual material throughout. Three major early medieval phases were recognised that can be applied to Area B: Phase 1 (c. 530-650); Phase 2 (c. 710-960); Phase 3 (770-980) with Phases 4 and 5 extending into the High Middle Ages. In Area B, W of the existing road, Enclosure 1 is D-shaped (max. int. dims 76m N-S; 53m E-W) with the longest side at E, and about three quarters of the interior was excavated. It assumes this shape probably because the underlying bedrock dictated the location and direction of the defining U-shaped fosse (Wth of top 2.2m; Wth of base 1m; D c. 1.3m) which was complete with no uncut causeway. However, the original entrance was indicated by the stepped inner face of the fosse at NE where later causewayed entrances were established. There is no physical evidence of a bank, but 24 deposits can be related to the initial Phase 1 use of the fosse which produced copious amounts of bone, a sample of which provided a C14 date of 441-652 cal. AD (BETA 220115). Waterlogged conditions ensured the preservation of organic material including worked wood. The first re-cut of the ditch (Wth of top 2.5m; Wth of base 1.2m; D c. 1.2m) which constitutes the start of Phase 2 followed the same course, was both U-shaped and V-shaped in form, and 23 deposits can be assigned to it. Artefacts included waste from bone pin-making as well as motif trial-pieces, glass beads, a stone ingot-mould and metal objects including a spearhead and an iron knife. A causeway (Wth of top c. 2m) of dumped deposits with stones and a boulder facing was added at NE and a nearby post-hole could indicate an internal gate. There was plenty of animal bone, and a radiocarbon date of 690-946 cal. AD (BETA 220114) is returned for this phase from the articulated skeleton of a dog. A second major U-shaped re-cut (Wth of top c. 2.3m; D c. 1.4m) cleaned out all the fosse apart from the section (L 15m) around the entrance. About 36 layers can be attributed to this sub-phase of Phase 2, consisting of natural silts and dumped deposits with household waste. Recovered artefacts include iron knives, a fragment of a horseshoe and other iron objects. There were copper-alloy pin shafts and a belt-fitting. A stone spindle whorl, a whetstone and fragments of lignite bracelets were also recovered. Two wooden staves with notches for the base and lid were also retrieved, as was the articulated skeleton of another dog that yielded a C14 date of 725-976 cal. AD (BETA 220116). Single sherds of Leinster cooking ware and Merida ware at the top of the fosse indicate a final closing in the thirteenth century. A short section (L 12m) of an inner clay bank (Wth of base 2.4m; H 0.2m) survived at NW. Later shallow cuts following the inner edge of the fosse at NW (L 31; Wth 0.9m; D 0.4m) and SE (L 34m; Wth 0.5m; D 0.2m) are probably the last actions associated with the visible monument in Phase 4. (O’Hara 2009, 5-9) The interior may have been sub-divided from the outset as two trenches at the centre attest, although they are far too truncated by later features to produce a pattern. However, a large sub-rectangular area (int. dims c. 20m x 18m) was enclosed by substantial ditches (Wth 1.7-3.2m; D c. 1.4m), although most of this enclosure is outside the excavated area to the W. No entrance was apparent, but a drainage ditch extended NE from it. A sample from the base of the enclosing ditch yielded a C14 date of 889-1022 cal. AD (BETA 246965). Finds from the ditch included a dumb-bell shaped glass bead. Both the enclosing ditch and its drain were recut twice, and a sample from the first recut produced a radiocarbon date of 783-1018 cal. AD (BETA 246964), confirming a period of use in Phase 3 during the ninth to eleventh centuries. Artefacts recovered included a pierced copper-alloy belt-plate and a single-sided bone comb. (O’Hara 2009, 34-5) The SE corner of Enclosure 1 was also cordoned off during Phase 2 by a C-shaped ditch that was superseded by a larger version (Wth 0.6m; D 0.8m), which was itself replaced by another ditch (Wth 0.5m; D 0.4m) on the same general line. These ditches stopped short by c. 5m from the first iteration of the Enclosure 1 ditch, indicating the presence of an inner bank, but the final iteration of the C-shaped ditch extended to the re-cut rath ditch. Finds from the various versions of the C-shaped ditch included linked rings, an iron awl, iron pin-shafts, an iron latch, an iron loop and an iron knife. A rim-shred of an E1 jar is an import from Gaul. There was also a socketed iron blade and buckle fragments, and a complete copper-alloy ring-pin with a twisted spiral ring. Other interesting objects were a fragment of lignite and a piece of a crucible. The line of this C-shaped ditch was finally abandoned in Phase 3 but the SE angle of the enclosure continued to be fenced off as a smaller area (dims 15m N-S; 12m E-W) defined by an L-shaped ditch on a new trajectory, and a small fragment of amber was recovered from this. A kiln with C14 date of 573-688 cal. AD (BETA 246968) was within this small space but cannot be related trough stratigraphy with other features. (O’Hara 2009, 36-38; 2009a) See the attached images from GBS Prospection (2001, fig. A65) and O'Hara (2009 figs 7, 44, 45, 47, 48; pl 2) _1 Gradiometer data; _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _4 Phase 2; _5 Phase 3; _6 Phases 4, 5; _7 Aerial view; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075001 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 10 (dims 25m N-S; 17m E-W) functioned as an annexe on the E side of Enclosure 1 during Phase 1 in the late sixth century. Initially it was defined by a slightly curving fosse (L 27m; Wth 0.85m; D 0.6m) at its E side. This was replaced by L-shaped fosses at N (Wth 0.95m; D 0.37m) and S (Wth 0.9m; D 0.47m) with a small gap (Wth c. 0.5m) between them. The annexe is just S of the entrance area of Enclosure 1, and there is a wide entrance gap (Wth c. 5m) between its fosse and that of Enclosure 1 at N. The ditches contained animal bone and charred oats, barley and wheat, and they enclosed Structure D that may have been associated with non-ferrous metal-working. (O’Hara 2009, 18; 2009a) True location: ITM (695713, 753832) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 44; Pl 2) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _7 aerial view; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075002 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 11 is the principal annexe associated with Phase 1 of the rath, Enclosure 1, and it extends outside the excavated area to the W. It is contemporary with the construction of the rath in Phase 1 and is defined by the fosse of Enclosure 1 on the N side and a fosse (Wth 2.1m; D 1.34m) extending SW (L 63m plus) from the SE angle of the rath but turning NW at its W limit. The ten layers within the ditch were usually sterile with some animal bone, and there was evidence of four minor re-cuts before one major re-cut (L 60m; Wth 2.17m; D 0.75m) whose eight layers also proved to be largely sterile with only occasional animal bones and charred oats and barley grains and charcoal. (O’Hara 2009, 18-19; 2009a) True location: ITM (695713, 753792) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 44, Pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _7 Aerial view; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075003 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 12 was a large multi-phase annexe attached to the SE of the rath, Enclosure 1, during Phase 1 in the first late sixth century. It is a circular area (int. diam. c. 35m) defined by fosses extending E and SE (L 46m; Wth 0.3m; D 0.15m) and S (L 10m plus; Wth 1.35m; D 0.6m) from the fosse of Enclosure 1, but the S side of this enclosure was destroyed by modern drainage works. Both ditches were re-cut once and all the layers contained large quantities of animal bone. Artefacts included iron knives, and the enclosure could have continued to be contemporary with Enclosures 13 and 14 extending into Phase 2, although no internal structures are associated with it. A sample of bone returned a C14 date of 343-542 cal. AD (BETA 231959) and is considered to be too early for this enclosure, but the sample may have been displaced from the fosse of Enclosure 1. One of the fosses cuts a substantial curving ditch (L 35m plus; Wth 2m; D 1.3-2m) which is c. 25m distant from Enclosure 1 and extends off to the E and S and which is undated. This ditch was re-cut once but all its layers are sterile, apart from some degraded bone. (O’Hara 2009, 19-20; 2009a) True location: ITM (695621, 753793) See the attached images from O'Hara (2022, figs 7, 44, 45, pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _4 Phase 2; _7 Aerial view; Compiled by Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075004 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 13 was created during Phase 1 in the late sixth or early seventh century by connecting the fosses of enclosures 10 and 12 with a shallow ditch (L 17.4m; Wth 0.9m; D 0.35m), thus enclosing a small D-shaped area (dims 12m N-S; 15m E-W). The enclosure was expanded into a larger D-shaped area (dims 28m N-S; 15m E-W) by extending the connecting ditch N (Wth 1.2m; D 0.5m) and turning it W to meet the fosse of Enclosure 1. This can only have happened after Enclosure 10 fell into disuse. Its four layers contained some animal bone, but apart from one iron object no artefacts were recovered from it. (O’Hara 2009, 20; 2009a) True location: ITM (695715, 753810) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 44, pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; _7 Aerial view; O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075005 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 14 consisted of a complex of ditches that formed a rectangular annexe (dims 25m E-W; 18m N-S) abutting the S side of Enclosure 1 and the W side of Enclosure 12 during Phase 2 around the middle of the seventh century. It is not known if it was contemporary with the original establishment of Enclosure 12, or the re-cut of its fosses. The development of the enclosure itself is complicated by the numerous re-cuts of its own ditches. No internal features can be associated with it, but cross-cutting plough marks suggest its use for agriculture at some point. A small quantity of animal bone was recovered from the ditches, together with small amounts of charred oats and wheat. Finds from the ditches include a copper-alloy mount in the form of a cross within a ring. The terminals and the crux are rectangular. (O’Hara 20090, 21; 2009a) True location: ITM (695687, 753773) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 45, pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _4 Phase 2; _7 Aerial view; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075006 Enclosure
  Description

  In Area B Enclosure 15 is a rectangular annexe (dims 30m E-W; 10m N-S) attached to the S of Enclosure 1 during Phase 2 in the eight century as a replacement for Enclosures 12 and 14. The ditch sections (Wth 0.7-1.2m; D 0.17-0.7m) were re-cut at least once, and animal bone was present in small quantities. A small triangular addition (max. dims 15m N-S; 8m E-W) was made at the E end after the infilling of the original E side. Artefacts recovered included iron knives, a D-shaped copper-alloy buckle and carved bone trial-pieces with interlace comparable to samples from Lagore crannog (ME038-027----) that could date to the eight or ninth centuries AD. One horse radius had eleven complete carved panels of interlace and several in an incomplete state. (O’Hara 2009, 22; 2009a) True location: ITM (695799, 753787) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 2, 47, pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _4 Phase 2; _7 Aerial view; O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075007 Souterrain
  Description

  A souterrain was built at the centre of Enclosure 1 in Area B during Phase 2 but it is E of the internal rectangular enclosure attached to the ditch of Enclosure 1 at W, suggesting a degree of contemporaneity. It consisted of three beehive chambers connected by three short passages and it was constructed from locally derived limestone. The tops of the chambers and most of the lintels of the passages had been removed in antiquity, and the heights given are surviving heights. At no point does it appear to have been rock-cut. Only nine lintels remained in situ. The bases of the walls consist of large boulders (dims c. 0.44m x c. 0.33m x c. 0.2m) with smaller stones above as the walls rise, and the bases of the walls were sometimes not dug as deep as the floors of the chambers, each of which had a pit in its floor, perhaps used as water-sumps. The entrance is a step down (D 0.6m), from where the passage (L 4.25m; Wth of base 0.89m; Wth of top 0.75m; max. H 1.4m at S) extended S and downwards to its lowest point. A small cupboard in the E wall was close to the ground near the entrance. From its lowest point the passage rises and narrows (Wth 0.62m) to meet an E-W passage (L c. 5m) towards the latter’s E end. As the entrance passage rises there is a stone shelf (L 0.85m; Wth 0.16m; max. H 0.74m) on either side protruding from the sidewalls, probably intended to constrict the passage and create a step up to the junction with the E-W passage. Just E of this junction, at the E end of the E-W passage, is a beehive chamber (diam. 1.8m N-S; 1.6m E-W; H 1.3m) with corbelling starting 0.7m above the floor. A pit (dims 0.6m x 0.5m; D 0.45m) was cut in the floor against the wall at NE. The entrance (Wth 0.55m; H 1m) was intact with the vertical jambs and the lintel in place. From the entrance to this chamber the middle passage extended W (L 2.6m) past the junction with the entrance passage as far as a step down (H 0.5m) that increases the passage height (c. 1.5m) immediately beyond that point. The passage continues W (L c. 3m) and the floor rises to the junction with the final N-S passage (L 6.7m; Wth of base 0.82-0.95m; max. H 1.28m) which is at its widest (Wth 1.7m) at this point. This passage connects a subcircular beehive chamber at N (dims of base 2.9m E-W; 2.45m N-S; H 1.3m) to a circular one at S (diam. of base 3m E-W; 2.9m N-S; H 1.39m). Both chambers are sunk below the level of the connecting passage, the floor in the chamber at S being c. 0.8m lower than that at N, with the passage floor bulging upwards between them. The entrances to both chambers have jambs marked by vertically set stones, and both chambers have pits dug in the floor, a small feature (diam. 0.3m; D 0.25m) in the N chamber and a larger one (diam. 0.4-0.5m; D 0.2m) against the wall at SSW in the S chamber. In the S chamber, at the point where corbelling begins (H 0.5m), an air vent extends off to the SW (L 0.5m). The primary deposits over the beaten earth floors in the chambers consist of occupation debris with animal bones. This deposit was particularly marked in the entrance passage (D 0.2m) and on the floor of the first beehive chamber. A stud-headed stick-pin that can be dated to the eleventh century was in this deposit in the entrance passage and can probably date the closure of the souterrain. Fragments of iron objects and a perforated piece of slate were also recovered from the entrance passage as was a human cranium. The habitation deposits are beneath the deliberate backfill of the souterrain, consisting of stones from the upper levels of the walls, lintels from the passages and deposits from the surface. (O’Hara 2009, 24-9; 2009) True location: ITM (695670, 753823) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 2, 18, 45, 47. pl. 2) _2 Site plan; _4 Phase 2; _5 Phase 3; _7 Aerial view; 075007-_1 Plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009 Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075008 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Four kilns were excavated within Area B, three of which were in the S interior of the rath, Enclosure 1, although from different phases. One from the interior is a key-hole kiln (dims 2.2m x 1.7m; max. D 0.9m) with a flue (L 2.1m) extending S. Seven deposits survived including a clay lining which may have collapsed prematurely at its last firing. It contained burnt animal bone and only two barley grains were recovered, but a piece of charred Maloideae provided a C14 date of 687-937 (BETA 246966). A figure-of-eight kiln (dims 2.6m x 1m; D 0.5m) kiln was also in the SE internal area of Enclosure 1. It was oriented E-W with oxidised bases in both chambers as well as baffle stones to direct the heat. It had deposits with charred oats and barley and a sample provided a C14 date of 573-688 cal. AD (BETA 246968), indicating that cereal drying was conducted in Phase 1. Another figure-of-eight kiln (dims 2.5m x 0.4-0.75m; D 0.26m) was in the SE canton of Enclosure 1 and retained four deposits but only a small quantity of charred oats and barley was recorded. The final kiln was of figure-of-eight form (dims 2.51m x 1.58m; S 0.2-0.4m) and was located outside Enclosure 1 at S. It contained three deposits including one with charred oats and barley grains over a partially oxidised base. A sample returned a C14 date of 546-656 cal. AD (BETA 246967) and it can be equated with Phase 1 of the rath. (O’Hara 2009, 31-33; 2009a) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 25 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-075009 Hut site
  Description

  In Area B three structures within Enclosure 1 are probably associated with its establishment and early use during Phase 1 in the mid sixth century. Structure A is on the inner side of the fosse at N and consists of a curving drip-gully (Wth 0.25; D 0.2m) around a subcircular area (int. dims c. 7m E-W; c. 6m N-S). Much of the interior, especially at E, was destroyed by later features. Within the base of the gully were six post-holes that are possibly related to it but other post-holes were outside it to the N and two were in the fill of the gully. Structure B is inside the fosse at S and is a semi-circular drip-gully (Wth 0.36m; D 0.21m) enclosing a small area (diam. 4m) but it had no associated features such as post-holes. Some paved areas and other gullies are in the vicinity and these could represent pens abutting an absent bank. Sherds of E-ware were recovered in this area, and the circular drip-gully was cut by a secondary sub-division of the interior of Enclosure 1. Structure C was E of B and consists of drip-gullies enclosing a rectangular area (dims 7m NW-SE; 6.5m NE-SW). No post-holes or hearths are associated with this structure and much of the interior was removed by later features. An iron nail and a copper-alloy pin fragment were recovered from the gullies. Structure E is a collection of eight post-holes immediately to the NW of structure A and forms an L-shaped line that could have been a lean-to against the bank of Enclosure 1. (O’Hara 2009, 29-31; 2009a) Structure D is a circular area (int. diam. c. 4m) within the ambit of Enclosure 10, an early, although secondary, annexe of Phase 1 on the E side of the rath, Enclosure 1 and might be dated to the early seventh century. The structure is defined by two drip-gullies that are truncated by later features. A crucible fragment was found in one of the gullies, and bone trial-pieces were found in contemporary levels within the fosse of Enclosure 1 c. 10m W of this feature. This suggests that it may have been devoted to metal-working, but there are no post-holes or hearths associated with the structure and metal waste was not recovered in the vicinity. (O’Hara 2009, 31) See the attached images from O'Hara (2009, figs 7, 44) _2 Site plan; _3 Phase 1; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 2 Dunshaughlin - Navan. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Roestown 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003055. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services O’Hara, R. 2009a Early Medieval Settlement at Roestown 2. In Deevy, M. and Donald Murphy 2009 Places Along the Way, 57-82. NRA Scheme Monographs: 5.

• ME038-079 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Situated on a slight S-facing slope. Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0479) by T. O’Neill of Testing Area 17, Contract 1, prior to the construction of the M3 motorway (excavations.ie: 2004:1337) identified archaeological material which was completely excavated (E003046) by S. Linnane as Roestown 4 in June 2006 (excavations.ie 2006:1635). Three pits (dims 0.48m; D 0.06m; to 1.4m x 0.6m; D 0.25m) were in a confined area (dims c. 4m x c. 4m), although one pit (dims 1.29m x 0.48m; D 0.08m) produced a sherd of green bottle glass and is modern. There is also a small pit (dims 0.55m x 0.41m; D 0.43m) c. 10m to the N and a slight linear feature (dims 1.38m E-W; 0.31m N-S; D 0.1m) c. 15m to the E. The fills from the other pits contain some burnt clay and charcoal dominated by hazel, and are interpreted as domestic waste as there was no in situ burning. A sample of cremated animal bone from one of the pits produced a C14 date of 386-183 cal. BC (BETA 247580). (Linnane 2008) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 26 April, 2022 O’Neill, T. 2004 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 1 Clonee – Dunshaughlin. Final Report on Archaeological Assessment at Testing Area 17 Raynestown 1, Co. Meath. Licence: 04E0479. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services

• ME038-080 Ringfort - rath
  Description

  Situated towards the top of a gentle S-facing slope. A magnetic gradiometer survey (09R0089) by D. Harrison identified numerous archaeological features in a field on the N side of the R125 leading W from Dunshaughlin and c. 1km from the centre of the village and the site of St Seachnall’s monastery (ME044-033002-). They include a large circular enclosure defined by two fosses separated by a berm, which are interpreted here as a rath inside a large enclosure. In addition there were at least two external enclosures and an enclosure inside the rath as well as a possible ring-ditch located c. 90m outside it to the NE. Targeted archaeological testing (09E0214) by J. Hession and C. Moriarty (2009) confirmed the presence of the large enclosure and rath, whose internal enclosure proves to be a burial ground. These features are now preserved in situ beneath introduced soil that has been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a raised platform over the burial ground within Dún Ríoga housing estate. From the gradiometer survey the central feature consists of a large rath (diam. c. 68m), the entrance to which is not recognized in the gradiometer survey, although it may be at S where there might be a break in the fosse. The large enclosure (dims c. 96m E-W; c. 84m N-S) also appears to have no visible entrance but the perimeter at S might be combined with that of the rath. There is a rectangular annexe (dims c. 40m N-S; c. 35m E-W) attached to the fosse of the large enclosure at N, and an elongated rectangular one (L c. 50m; Wth c. 15-30m) attached to the fosse of the rath/large enclosure at S, while elements of a rectangular field system could also be attached to the fosse of the rath in the same area. The small D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 38m E-W; c. 34m N-S) within the rath is defined by a ditch that appears to be attached to the fosse of the rath at NNE and that of the large enclosure at E. This proved to contain multiple burials testifying to its use as a burial ground. The inner and middle fosses revealed by the gradiometer survey were tested at NW where the outer fosse (Wth 2.4m; D 0.89m plus) was filled with brown silty clays that contained some small to medium-sized stones and occasional pieces of bone. Just 2.1m to its SE was a gully (Wth 1.18m), perhaps marking the inner edge of a bank, and a berm (Wth 13m) separated this from the middle fosse (Wth 3m; D 0.54m) that has four fills including a layer of stones. These features were also tested at NE where the outer fosse (Wth 6m) has a gully (Wth 0.7m; D 0.25m) c. 1m inside it. The berm (Wth 9m) separates this from the middle fosse (Wth 4m) which here also forms the boundary of the burial ground, and disarticulated human bone was on top of its fill (Hession and Moriarty 2009, 21). An excavation trench inside the middle fosse at S identified numerous post-holes, pits and a possible kiln (dims 2m x 0.7m) that was keyhole-shaped (ibid. 19). Four trenches sampled the small innermost enclosure and encountered supine inhumations oriented W-E with the heads at W even in the topsoil but concentrated at the W edge of the enclosure. The top of its defining ditch (Wth 2.6m) was exposed but not excavated here. A section across the perimeter at S encountered an inner gully (Wth 0.3m; D 0.25m) and the external enclosure ditch (Wth 3.5m; D 0.8m plus). A ditch (Wth 1.3m plus) leading away from the outer ditch to the S has two feeder gullies (Wth 1.3m; D 0.5m; Wth 0.5m; D 0.3m) from the E. The burial ground seems to have been defined by a wide outer ditch and a narrow inner gully, probably with an earthen bank between them, but an entrance is not identified either in the gradiometer survey or through excavation (ibid. 15-16). The N enclosure or annexe was defined by a ditch (Wth 4m) at W that was quite shallow (D 0.1m) at its outer edge but there was a deeper re-cut (Wth 1.3m; D 0.45m) on the inner side. There was a small amount of metal slag in its fill. Within the enclosure three E-W ditches were recognized, two of which (Wth 1.4m; 1.3m) were not excavated but the central one (Wth 3.3m; D 0.7m plus) produced a large quantity of charcoal and slag. The rath, together with the large enclosure and the burial ground, are preserved as a green area under introduced soil, but the available area outside it was subsequently completely excavated (15E0125) by S. McGlade (2020) from June 2018 to February 2019 (excavations.ie 2019:474) where the features are described for convenience as being in Readsland although they are on an extension of ground from Roestown townland, most of which lies to the W. Only a preliminary report has been prepared to date, with the result that radiocarbon dates and a scheme outlining the developmental phases of the monument is not yet available. This excavation included parts of the fosse of the large enclosure, often just its outer edge, which was sampled at various points. It has a complex stratigraphy with phases of silting, back-filling and re-cutting as well as complex interactions with the ditches of the annexes. Entrances are confirmed or strongly suspected at SW, NW, E and SE. A metalled surface (Wth 2.1m) with a line of kerbstones parallel with the sides of the ditch was laid over the silted ditch at NW with Path 5, a metalled surface (L 10.5m), approaching it externally from the W. An iron pin was retrieved from the surface of the path, and this entrance was retained for a considerable period. The large enclosure surrounds a subcircular area (dims c. 96m E-W; c. 84m N-S) that is not truly concentric with the rath as its fosse merged with that of the rath S-SW. Its fosse might not be the first attempt to enclose added space around the rath as it is possible that the curvilinear annexes at E, S, SW and W that are largely contemporary with each other may have had ditches extending to the fosse of the rath that survive in the unexcavated portion of the large enclosure. Therefore, it is possible that these were subsequently cut by the fosse of the large enclosure, while the rectilinear enclosures to the N and S appear to be later and to spring from the fosse of the large enclosure or from those of the curvilinear annexes. The burial ground, together with the large enclosure and the rath, are preserved in a green area beneath introduced soil that has been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a platform over the burial ground within Dún Ríoga housing estate. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 111-22) See the attached results of the gradiometer survey from Hession and Moriarty (2009, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080001 Enclosure - large enclosure
  Description

  Situated towards the top of a gentle S-facing slope. A magnetic gradiometer survey (09R0089) by D. Harrison identified numerous archaeological features in a field on the N side of the R125 leading W from Dunshaughlin and c. 1km from the centre of the village and the site of St Seachnall’s monastery (ME044-033002-). They include a large circular enclosure defined by two fosses separated by a berm, which are interpreted here as a rath inside a large enclosure. In addition there were at least two external enclosures and one internal enclosure as well as a possible ring-ditch located c. 90m outside the rath to the NE. Targeted archaeological testing (09E0214) by J. Hession and C. Moriarty (2009) confirmed the presence of the large enclosure and rath, whose internal enclosure proves to be a burial ground. These features are now preserved in situ beneath introduced soil that has been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a raised platform over the burial ground within Dún Ríoga housing estate. From the gradiometer survey the central feature consists of a large rath (diam. c. 68m), the entrance to which is not recognized in the gradiometer survey although it may be at S where there might be a break in the fosse. The large enclosure (dims c. 96m E-W; c. 84m N-S) also appears to have no visible entrance but the perimeter at S might be combined with that of the rath. There is a rectangular annexe (dims c. 40m N-S; c. 35m E-W) attached to the fosse of the large enclosure at N, and an elongated rectangular one (L c. 50m; Wth c. 15-30m) attached to the fosse of the rath/large enclosure at S, while elements of a rectangular field system could be attached to the same feature at S. The small D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 38m E-W; c. 34m N-S) within the rath is defined by a ditch that appears to be attached to the fosse of the rath at NNE and that of the large enclosure at E. This proved to contain multiple burials testifying to its use as a burial ground. The inner and middle fosses revealed by the gradiometer survey were tested at NW where the outer fosse (Wth 2.4m; D 0.89m plus) was filled with brown silty clays that contained some small to medium-sized stones and occasional pieces of bone. Just 2.1m to its SE was a gully (Wth 1.18m), perhaps marking the inner edge of a bank, and a berm (Wth 13m) separated this from the middle fosse (Wth 3m; D 0.54m) that has four fills including a layer of stones. These features were also tested at NE where the outer fosse (Wth 6m) has a gully (Wth 0.7m; D 0.25m) c. 1m inside it. The berm (Wth 9m) separates this from the middle fosse (Wth 4m) which here also forms the boundary of the burial ground, and disarticulated human bone was on top of its fill (Hession and Moriarty 2009, 21). An excavation trench inside the middle fosse at S identified numerous post-holes, pits and a possible kiln (dims 2m x 0.7m) that was keyhole-shaped (ibid. 19). The N enclosure or annexe was defined by a ditch (Wth 4m) at W that was quite shallow (D 0.1m) at its outer edge but there was a deeper re-cut (Wth 1.3m; D 0.45m) on the inner side. There was a small amount of metal slag in its fill. Within the enclosure three E-W ditches were recognized, two of which (Wth 1.4m; 1.3m) were not excavated but the central one (Wth 3.3m; D 0.7m plus) produced large amounts of charcoal and slag. The large enclosure, together with the rath and burial ground, are preserved as a green area under introduced soil, but the available area outside it was subsequently completely excavated (15E0125) by S. McGlade (2020) from June 2018 to February 2019 (excavations.ie 2019:474) where the features are described for convenience as being in Readsland although they are on an extension of ground from Roestown townland, which lies mainly to the W. Only a preliminary report has been prepared to date, with the result that radiocarbon dates and a scheme outlining the developmental phases of the monument is not yet available. This excavation included parts of the fosse of the large enclosure, often just its outer edge, which was sampled at various points. It has a complex stratigraphy with phases of silting, back-filling and re-cutting as well as complex interactions with the ditches of the annexes. Entrances are confirmed or strongly suspected at SW, NW, E and SE. A metalled surface (Wth 2.1m) with a line of kerbstones parallel with the sides of the ditch was laid over the silted ditch at NW with Path 5, a metalled surface (L 10.5m), approaching it externally from the W. An iron pin was retrieved from the surface of the path, and this entrance was retained for a considerable period. The large enclosure surrounds a subcircular area (dims c. 96m E-W; c. 84m N-S) that is not truly concentric with the rath as its fosse merged with that of the rath S-SW. Its fosse might not be the first attempt to enclose added space around the rath as it is possible that the curvilinear annexes at E, S, SW and W that are largely contemporary with each other may have had ditches extending to the fosse of the rath that survive in the unexcavated portion. Therefore, it is possible that these were subsequently cut by the fosse of the large enclosure, while the rectilinear enclosures to the N and S appear to be later and to spring from the fosse of the large enclosure or from those of the curvilinear annexes. The large enclosure, together with the burial ground and the rath, are preserved in a green area beneath introduced soil that has been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a platform over the burial ground within Dún Ríoga housing estate. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 111-22) See the attached results of the gradiometer survey from Hession and Moriarty (2009, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080002 Burial ground
  Description

  Situated towards the top of a gentle S-facings slope. A magnetic gradiometer survey (09R0089) by D. Harrison identified numerous archaeological features in a field on the N side of the R125 leading W from Dunshaughlin and c. 1km from the centre of the village and the site of St Seachnall’s monastery (ME044-033002-). They include a large circular enclosure defined by two fosses separated by a berm, which are interpreted here as a rath inside a large enclosure. In addition there were at least two external enclosures and one internal enclosure as well as a possible ring-ditch located c. 90m outside the rath to the NE. Targeted archaeological testing (09E0214) by J. Hession and C. Moriarty (2009) confirmed the presence of the large enclosure and rath, whose internal enclosure proves to be a burial ground. These features are now preserved in situ beneath introduced soil that has been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a raised platform over the burial ground within Dún Ríoga housing estate. From the gradiometer survey the central feature consists of a large rath (diam. c. 68m), the entrance to which is not recognized in the gradiometer survey although it may be at S where there might be a break in the fosse. The large enclosure (dims c. 96m E-W; c. 84m N-S) also appears to have no visible entrance but the perimeter at S might combine with that of the rath. The small D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 38m E-W; c. 34m N-S) within the rath is defined by a ditch that appears to be attached to the fosse of the rath at NNE and that of the large enclosure at E. This proved to contain multiple burials testifying to its use as a burial ground. Four trenches sampled the small innermost enclosure and encountered burials even in the topsoil. The supine inhumations were oriented W-E with the heads at W but were concentrated at the W edge of the inner enclosure. The top of its defining ditch (Wth 2.6m) was exposed but not excavated here. A section across the perimeter at S encountered an inner gully (Wth 0.3m; D 0.25m) and the external enclosure ditch (Wth 3.5m; D 0.8m plus). A ditch (Wth 1.3m plus) leading away from the outer ditch to the S has two feeder gullies (Wth 1.3m; D 0.5m; Wth 0.5m; D 0.3m) approaching from the E. The burial ground seems to have been defined by a wide outer ditch and narrow inner gully, probably with an earthen bank between them, but an entrance is not identified either in the gradiometer survey or through excavation. The burial ground, together with the rath and the large enclosures, are preserved in a green area beneath introduced soil that has now been landscaped into a wide outer bank and a platform over the burial ground within Dún Rioga housing estate. (Hession and Moriarty 2010, 15-16) See the results of the gradiometer survey from Hession and Moriarty (2009, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080003 Structure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). East of the large rath, in the triangular area available for excavation, two circular or penannular structures and one rectangular feature were recorded in a N-S line with a small enclosure just to the NE. The most northerly structure (2) was D-shaped (int. dims c. 4.5m E-W; c. 2.8m N-S), open to the S, and defined by a fairly flat-bottomed slot-trench (Wth c. 0.3m) or drip-gully with two fills at most. There are no postholes or internal features associated with it but it is c. 3m N of Structure 3 with which it might have been conjoined but the ground between them was truncated by a wide ditch. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 67-9) See the attached illustrations from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, P 75, 76) _1 Location; _2 plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080004 Structure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). East of the large rath, in the triangular area available for excavation, two circular or penannular structures and one rectangular feature were recorded in a N-S line with a small enclosure just to the NE. Structure 3, at the centre of the line, was circular (int. diam. c. 7.25m) and defined by a slot-trench (Wth c. 0.3-0.5m) with an entrance gap (Wth 1.05m) at SW. The slot-trench only survives SW-W as it is removed by later features elsewhere but a central post-hole with packing stones enables the diameter to be gauged. There are four postholes in the base of the surviving slot-trench and it was probably a roofed structure. Its perimeter at S is cut by the N edge of the rectangular Structure 4. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 69-72) True location: ITM (696043, 752885) See the attached illustrations from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, P 75, 70) _1 Location; _2 Plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080005 Structure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). East of the large rath, in the triangular area available for excavation, two circular or penannular structures and one rectangular feature were recorded in a N-S line with a small enclosure just to the NE. The most southerly feature was rectangular (int. dims c. 10.7m E-W; c. 6.75m N-S) and defined by a gully (Wth c. 0.35m; D 0.15m to Wth c. 0.7m; D 0.4m) with an entrance gap (Wth 1.05m) at the centre of the N side. Its gully was re-cut as narrow slot-trenches in places but it had no postholes or internal features associated with it and almost half of it lies outside the excavated area. However, a small iron hand-bell of Scandinavian character that is likely to date to the ninth or tenth century was recovered from a slot-trench of this feature. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 72-4) True location: ITM (696041, 752877) See the attached images from McGlade (2009, P 75, 72) _1 Location: _2 Plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080006 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). East of the large rath, in the triangular area available for excavation, two circular or penannular structures and one rectangular feature were recorded in a N-S line with a small enclosure just to the NE. Structure 6 was a large subcircular area (diam. c. 22m) defined by a narrow curvilinear slot-trench (Wth c. 0.35m; D c. 0.2m), but it only survived SW-W-NE and petered out elsewhere where the subsoil over the bedrock did not survive. There were no postholes in the slot-trench which may have held wooden or wicker hurdles but there was a deep posthole (D c. 0.4m) with a flared opening in the interior which had a lightly metalled surface (dims 12m x 5.75m) around it from which post-medieval material was recovered. It is thought that the enclosure may have functioned as a paddock with one tethering post. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 74-77) See the attached illustration from McGlade (2020, P 75) True location: ITM (696066, 752895) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080007 Road - road/trackway
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). A number of paths, noted as metaled surfaces, relate to the circular rath and its associated enclosures. Many were short and provided access across individual silted ditches, but two of the longest are NE of the rath and are directly connected with its use, its N annex and the kilns in this area. The longest path (1) approached from the NNE (L 120m plus), slipped between two of the kilns just E of the N annexe and developed into a paving (dims c. 16m N-S; c. 9m E-W) in the angle between the annexe and the fosse of the large enclosure to the SE. From this point the path followed the fosse around to the E and off the excavated area. Spurs led from it over the re-cut of a defining ditch into the N annexe and over the fosse of the large enclosure at E into the interior, although the precise relationship of this spur with the long path is not known as the spur seems to connect the burial ground with the external structures. This long path was truncated by the latest iteration of the large WNW-ESE boundary ditch just outside the N edge of the N annexe but it must have bridged earlier versions as this ditch was present throughout the existence of the N annexe. The path was well established with a gully added to its W side at the N end. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 90-94) Path 3 ran N-S (L c. 25m) just W of the NE focus of the cereal-drying kilns and had a drain beneath its surface that did not extend to its S end but did continue outside the excavation to the N. At its S end the path turned W (L c. 50m) along the silted WNW-ESE boundary ditch to the NE corner of the N annexe where it ran over its silted ditch into the interior. This section of the path was cut by later re-cuts of the boundary ditch but it overlies Kiln 7 and it is later than the long Path 1. Path 6, at the W side of the large enclosure, was set into the subsoil in two sections (total L 10m plus; Wth 2.2m) but it was truncated by the ditch of the SW annexe and the last phase of the W annexe ditch. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 94-95, 217-8) See the attached illustration from McGlade (2920, P 90) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080008 Field boundary
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). Elements of a field system are present in long ditches that extend across the excavated area. One, which is probably contemporary with the long Path 1 begins within the N annexe and extends SE but was cut by the re-cutting of the E ditch of the annexe. This long ditch is broken where the path is and takes up again on its E side. A gap (Wth 4.8m) further along is an access point, so the ditch is not for drainage. It was cut towards its E end by a N-S ditch which in turn truncated the metaled area associated with the cereal-drying focal point at NE. The N-S ditch turned E over the line of the N ditch defining the metalled area. Two sherds of Bronze Age pottery were recovered from its N end and may have derived from the ring-ditch in the vicinity. About 30-40m to the W a parallel N-S ditch was wider and post-medieval in date as it truncated the WNW-ESE boundary ditch associated with the N annexe and a wide E-W ditch at the S edge of the excavation that truncated Structures 2 and 3 and Path 2 leading to them but the relationship of this E-W feature with the rath fosses is obscured by later cuts. The wide N-S ditch could be that which is represented on the 1838 edition of the OS six-inch map. Although some boundaries may be parallel they are not necessarily contemporary and a unified field system is not present. Few features can be directly associated with the boundaries, but burning events, evidenced as the scorching of the subsoil, occurred in the open spaces between them. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 96-100) Further N-S ditches are present S of the rath that pre-date every other feature in this area. A narrow N-S gully (Wth 1.08m; D 0.42m) was cut by all other features it encounters, including ditches of the rectilinear and curvilinear S annexes. A nearly parallel gully (Wth 1.6m; D 0.26m) c. 12-17m to the E also pre-dates these major features in the area. A larger ditch (Wth c. 3m; D 0.61) c. 17-20m further E is also early and cuts the ditches of the curvilinear S annexe and the W edge of a possible curving feature (int. diam. 4.85m plus) that is defined by a shallow ditch (Wth 1.2m; D 0.23m) and extends off the excavated area to the E. The narrow N-S gully is shown by the gradiometer survey to extend N as far as the fosse of the rath/large enclosure and it may have served initially to drain this fosse. The larger ditch had numerous re-cuttings but one major re-cut (Wth c. 2.1m; D c. 0.8m) that was not as deep as the original was placed on its W side and almost doubled its apparent width. The final re-cut post-dated the cutting of this major drain by the ditches of both the rectilinear and curvilinear S annexes. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 229-336) See the attached plans of field boundaries from McGlade (2020, P 90, 224) _1 E of the rath; _2 S of the rath; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080009 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavatioins.ie 2019:474). The N annexe proved to have a complex history with several phases of sub-division and use for cereal-drying kilns followed by a phase of intensive metalworking towards the end of its period of use as a defined space. Eight furnace bottoms and a further eight possible examples were recorded, while over a tonne of metallurgical waste was recovered. A rectangular structure associated with these can be regarded as a forge, and a large anvil stone had been retrieved from the topsoil in the vicinity during the initial monitoring. Seven corn-drying kilns are dispersed through the annexe, but near its final abandonment its NW angle became a focus for six intercutting cereal-drying kilns. The junction with the fosse of the large enclosure could not be fully examined but the last iteration of the circular enclosure cut the fill of the annexe ditch at W while the last fills of the annexe ditch at E cut the upper fills of the enclosure ditch. The N enclosure (int. dims c. 34-37m N-S; c. 32m E-W) was defined by its earliest ditch (Wth 4m) at W that was quite shallow (D 0.1m) at its outer edge and partly rock-cut but there was a deeper re-cut (Wth 1.3m; D 0.45m) on the inner side. Its first iteration cut the fosse of the large enclosure, and its final fill was in turn cut by a re-cut of that ditch. It extended almost as far as the large WNW-ESE boundary ditch but a gap (Wth c. 5m) at its N end is the only original causeway entrance to the annexe. The ditch was used for the disposal of slag during the metalworking phase, and a secondary course veered to the E at the N end where it underlay later kilns. This enclosure did not have direct access to the large enclosure, although two metalled paths crossed its silted E ditch. The N side of the annexe was formed by the WNW-ESE boundary ditch that turned into the ditch forming the E side of the annexe in its first three iterations but further re-cuttings extended along the full N extent of the annexe, although some also turned into the E ditch. The boundary ditch was re-cut numerous times in the area of the annexe but was allowed to silt up undisturbed in areas away from it to the W and E. The E side of the annexe fed water from the boundary ditch through to the fosse of the large enclosure at E. Its earliest, narrowest, form contained seeds from the cereal-drying kilns to the E but it was re-cut at least five times, the first incorporating an E-W ditch inside the annexe, the third being overlaid by a spur (Path 10) from the long Path 1, and the fourth being overlaid at its N end by the L-shaped Path 3. The final re-cut was as a drainage ditch directing water from the boundary ditch to the fosse of the large enclosure. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 123-39) Within the annexe there were numerous ditches subdividing the internal area. The earliest was a slight NW-SE boundary ditch pre-dating the annexe but the earliest relating to its use was an E-W ditch connecting the E and W boundaries that was re-cut once to take waste from metalworking. This ditch was cut by a shorter E-W ditch just to its N at the E end. A C-shaped ditch backed onto the WNW-ESE boundary ditch in the NW quadrant, leaving room for the original entrance to the annexe, but a redirected re-cutting of the W annexe ditch cut this feature. The C-shaped trench was re-cut once, and a shallow ditch ran E-W in the NE quadrant of the annexe. Another ran N-S connecting the C-shaped ditch with the main E-W connecting ditch, although the junctions with both did not survive. An L-shaped ditch cuts off the SE angle of the annexe and it was cut by the fosse of the large enclosure but debouched into a re-cutting of the E ditch of the annexe. A small, palm-sized and lightly incised stone gaming board came from this feature, and a rectangular structure, interpreted as a forge associated with the later metalworking, sits over its NW angle. Of the twelve cereal-drying kilns within the area of the N annexe, five in the NW corner generally post-date it and the others are frequently cut by and cut features of the annexe. Other features such as pits and postholes and a fire-pit within the annexe probably relate either to the kilns or the metalworking, but no direct connections can be made. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 139-49, 178-180) See the attached images from McGlade (2022, vol. 1, p 139, 150, 201) _1 internal ditches; _2 Cereal-drying kilns; _3 Metal-working; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080010 Metalworking site
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019: 474). Features associated with metalworking cut into one of the sub-dividing internal ditches in the SW quadrant of the N annexe of the rath. Eight definite and eight possible furnace bottoms were excavated in a limited area (dims c. 5m x c. 3m) that also incorporated a number of pits and a metalled surface. The smelting furnaces were small pits (diam. c. 0.55-0.65m) that would originally have been enclosed in clay and filled with ore and charcoal. The clay would have become oxidized through the burning of the charcoal, air being introduced through nozzles or tuyéres at the bottom. The furnaces would then have been broken open to remove the cake of ore known as the bloom, which would be of a characteristic round-bottomed form with impurities like slag on its flat upper surface. The largest and last furnace was a large pit (dims 3.75m x 2.22m; D 0.65m) which cut many earlier furnaces and features. It was filled with mixtures of burnt clay, charcoal and slag, but a fragment of a first or second century Romano-British style of glass bracelet was recovered from it as well as residual flints. The glass has parallels at Lagore crannog and was probably being recycled. An elongated waste pit (max. dims 10.3m plus E-W; 2.14m N-S; max. D 0.7m) that was filled with metallurgical waste was cut into a silted E-W ditch c. 2m N of the metalworking area, and other linear features in the immediate vicinity received waste from the metalworking. Both smelting and smith-work would appear to have taken place. Amongst the artefacts from this area is a bone handle of tenth century date or later, and a palm-sized stone trial-piece that is crudely incised with a cross and has smaller crosses incised in the compartments that has become an icon of the excavation. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 141-143, 180-198, 338-39) True location: ITM (695968, 752950) See the attached images from McGlade (2020, vol. 1, P 201, 181, cover) _1 Metalwork in the N annexe; _1 Detail; _3 cross-inscribed stone; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 2 May 2022

• ME038-080011 Forge
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019: 474). A possible drip-gully (Wth 1.05m; D 0.33m), from which two amber beads and metal slag were recovered, was identified c. 15m E of the concentration of furnace-bottoms as Structure 18. It was also at the NW angle of the ditch-defined SE quadrant of the N annexe and was partly set in its silted ditches. The drip-gully enclosed a rectangular area (int. dims c. 6.9m E-W; 3.1m N-S) and two postholes were on its W side, suggesting that there may have been an entrance on this side. There was a hearth in the SE corner and a pit that was cut through the gully at SE had fills with metal slag and animal bone. An iron nail and a fragment of a lignite bracelet were recovered from it. Structure 18 is interpreted as a possible forge. Although it has no workbench what is described as an anvil stone was recovered from topsoil in the vicinity. A broad arcing cut (L 6.5m; Wth 2m; D 0.35m) S of the metalworking area that cut the fill of the W ditch of the annexe could be contemporary with the metalworking and have served as a plunging pool for the forge. It contained metallurgical waste, and an iron knife together with a copper-alloy strap-end were recovered from it. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 198-202, 318) Ture location: ITM (695993, 752958) See the attached illustrations from McGlade (2020, p. 201, 198) _1 Metalworking in the N annexe; _2 Possible forge in N annexe; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May, 2022

• ME038-080012 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019: 474). A small D-shaped enclosure (max. dims c. 34m N-S; c. 17m E-W) was attached to the large enclosure at E, and there were two kilns (1, 2) inside it. It was defined by a wide ditch (Wth 1.6m; D 0.88, at N to max. Wth 3.3m; D 1.56m) that was re-cut twice at the S end. Initial silting of the ditch was followed by darker material with animal bones and a lighter top fill also with animal bones. At N the ditch returned towards the large enclosure just S of an entrance associated with Path 2, and the final reiteration of the large enclosure ditch cut the ditch of the E annexe. The ditch of the E annexe also cut the ditch of the curvilinear S annexe. Its defining ditch was also cut by a re-cut of the outer ditch of the large enclosure. It had many fills with silts at the top and bottom but lenses of ash and burnt clay could be rake-out from Kiln 2 within the enclosure and bank material might also be present. A parallel, flat-bottomed slot-trench (max. Wth c. 1m; max. Dc. 0.7m) c. 5m inside the N-S section of the ditch may have supported a palisade on the inner side of such a bank. It had a parallel N-S path (4) just to the E which would have been under the putative bank. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 101-110) See the attached images from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, p 208, 101) _1 Location: _2 plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080013 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019: 474). A small D-shaped annexe (max. int. dims c. 40m N-S; c. 10m plus E-W) was attached to the W of the fosse of the large enclosure, although the junction of its three iterations with the large enclosure is preserved in the green area. The earliest and innermost ditch (L 22.5m; Wth 0.94m; D 0.33m), like the two others, was partly rock-cut at S and petered out at the N end. It was re-cut once and a chert arrowhead was recovered from one of the three fills of the re-cut. The annexe was extended slightly to the W with a second ditch (L 30m plus; Wth c. 1.25-2.2m; D c. 0.7-1.1m) that truncated much of the S end of the earlier ditch. It was re-cut thrice, and a copper alloy ring-pin that has parallels at Lagore crannog and in Viking Dublin and can be dated to the late ninth or early tenth century was retrieved from the fill of the second re-cut. The final re-cut was filled with soils that derived from the third annexe ditch (Wth 3.8m; D 1.63m) just to the W, although this third ditch only slightly truncates the N end of the middle ditch. At its S end the third ditch defines the N side of a likely entrance through the fosse of the large enclosure at SW, and its N end might also mark the S side of another entrance through the same fosse. The ditch was V-shaped and partly rock-cut in its W arc with steps in its sides, although it is U-shaped at the S end. The earliest silt fill had a complete inverted cow’s skull at one point. Pits were occasionally dug in the fill of the ditch, and a steep-sided oval fire-pit (dims 1.98m x 1.02m; D 036m) with oxidized sides was dug in the fill at one point and re-used twice. The ditch was re-cut along its length as a shallower feature and fragments of a bone comb, a stone gaming piece, an iron knife and an iron strike-a-light were recovered from its fill. A second and final re-cut was limited to the N end. The top layers of the ditch were cut by E-W furrows from which high medieval pottery was recovered. A metalled surface (Path 6), approaching from the S, is truncated by the final ditch of the W annexe, and its S end was cut by a slight curving ditch of the SW annexe. Some features were present within the latest extent of the W annexe. Chief amongst these was a cistern or water-hole that manifested as a deep, steep-sided, subcircular, flat-bottomed and partly rock-cut pit (dims 4.9m x 3.75m; D 1.87m) that was clay-lined at the bottom and had a step on its W side. A stone-lined channel (L 2.35m; Wth 0.9m; D 0.25m) extended W from the lip of the cistern and drained into it. The fills of the cistern were rich in clay and gravel with few impurities and some slump material. The cistern was re-cut once as a shallower funnel-shaped feature. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 208-223) See the attached images from McGlade (2020, P 208, 221) _1 Location: _2 Plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080014 Cistern
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019: 474). There were some features within the W annexe of the rath. Chief amongst these was a cistern or water-hole that manifested as a deep, steep-sided, subcircular, flat-bottomed and partly rock-cut pit (dims 4.9m x 3.75m; D 1.87m) that was clay-lined at the bottom and had a step on its W side. A stone-lined channel (L 2.35m; Wth 0.9m; D 0.25m) extended W from the lip of the cistern and drained into it. The fills of the cistern were rich in clay and gravel with few impurities and some slump material. The cistern was re-cut once as a shallower funnel-shaped feature. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 218-221) True location: ITM (695915, 752890) See the attached images from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, P 208, 221, 219) _1 Location: _2 Plan; _3 Plan and section; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080015 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). A SW annexe is represented by two parallel arcs of ditches placed c. 15m apart, and the features within it probably do not relate to its use which may have been as an animal paddock adjacent to the SW entrance to the large enclosure. The inner arc (L c. 25m) extends from the fosse of the large enclosure at S and curves SW and NW but stops c. 13m S of the SW angle of the W annexe and thus funnels visitors towards a major likely entrance of the large enclosure. The arc of ditch (Wth 1.1-1.8m; D 0.43-0.8m) was in two sections and there was an entrance (Wth c. 5m) at the centre where it was cut by features relating to the S rectilinear annexe. The outer arc (L c. 30m plus) was shallow and partly rock-cut (Wth 0.75-1.2m; D 0.38-0.4m) and only survives in a fragmentary state. However, it truncated the earliest ditch of the S curvilinear annexe but was itself cut by the second phase of that annexe. The ditch of the third phase of the S curvilinear annexe did not intersect the outer ditch of the SW annexe but stopped short leaving an entrance gap (Wth 2.5m), which suggests that they may be contemporary. The outer arc is cut by the slot-trench of the possible barn, structure 21. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 237-242) See the attached images from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, P 208, 257) _1 Location: _2 Plan of inner feature; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 5 May 2022

• ME038-080016 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). Three ditches form an annexe attached to the S of the fosse of the rath or the large enclosure. The first two are closely parallel and enclose a subrectangular space (dims c. 60m E-W; c. 10m N-S at W to c. 25m N-S at E), although all features could only be excavated at their E and W extremities. The original ditch (Wth 1.4m; D 0.28m) was cut by a ditch (Wth 1.04m; D 0.81m) on the same line that had a stone lining on its N side and extended slightly further to the W than the original ditch. While the original ditch was cut by the outer ditch of the SW annexe, the second iteration of this feature was not, which suggests that there was a time lapse between these ditches of the S annexe although they follow a similar line. The fill of the second ditch included a complete cow skull and this ditch was re-cut once. At the W end the ditch was V-shaped and rock-cut with a stone lining at the base that may be the fracturing of the bedrock but it petered out at the W end. The ditch runs through the area of the S rectangular annexe but its relationship with that enclosure could not be established. However, it stopped 2.5m short of the SW annexe, leaving an entrance gap and intimating that these enclosures are contemporary. At the other end of the enclosed area the second of these ditches was cut by the ditch of the E annexe. In the final phase the annexe was enlarged considerably at the W end by placing a third ditch c. 8-10m outside the second at the W end, but the E end of this ditch is thought to return to the fosse of the outer enclosure at the same point as the two earlier versions. Another substantial ditch (Wth 2.28m; D 0.9m) that departs from the fosse of the large enclosure at E and swings S could have connected with the third ditch and extended the E end of the enclosure further N but this junction was outside the excavated area. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 243-252) See the attached image from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, p 208) Compiled by: Micahel Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2020

• ME038-080017 Enclosure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). The S rectilinear annexe (int. dims c. 50m E-W; c. 15m N-S at E to c. 30m N-S at W) appears to have replaced the S curvilinear annex. At W the ditch was re-cut many times and had varying profiles from shallow and flat-bottomed (Wth c. 3m; D c. 0.5m) to wide and deep (Wth c. 5m; D 1m). Late in the sequence it was cut by a major N-S ditch that formed either a large rectangular annexe (dims c. 60m plus N-S; c. 25-30m E-W) or was part of a field system, which is more likely. The ditch of this system (Wth c. 2-3m; D 0.5-1m) was stratigraphically later than the S rectilinear annexe. On the S side the annexe ditch was also re-cut numerous times with its course often veering off the line of the original so that the profile is equally variable from narrow and shallow (Wth 1.5m; D 0.5m) to wide with up to three separate but relatively shallow bases (Wth 3.75m; D 0.7m). The ditch was rock-cut and was deeper at the E end. Fragments of an iron knife, a bone comb and a lignite bracelet were recovered from it. A stony deposit at the base of the first re-cut at one point was partially stone-faced and could have served as a wall, a path or a plinth for a bridge. Only a short section of the E edge (Wth c. 2.9m; D 1.05m) of the annex was available but four cuts were recorded in it and it is possible that an entrance from the outside was on this side. Structure 21 and Kiln 24 are within the annexe and could be related to its use. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 253-263) See the attached plan (yellow) from McGlade (2020 vol. 1, p253) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 May 2022

• ME038-080018 Field system
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). Elements of a later field system were identified that truncated the two S annexes of the rath/large enclosure. Two parallel N-S ditches placed c. 27-33m apart extend outside the excavation to the N and S but the geophysical survey suggests that at N they probably extended as far as the fosse of the rath where its fosse is combined with that of the large enclosure, and a likely E-W ditch relating to it was identified beneath the public road to the S. They created a single rectangular enclosure or field (dims c. 60m plus N-S; c. 25-30m E-W) that is of similar dimensions to and on the same alignment as the high medieval rectangular fields (ME044-052----) recorded in testing further S. The W ditch was rock-cut and broad, tending to be V to U-shaped (Wth c. 2.5-2.8m; D 0.6-0.75m). Outside the area of the S rectangular annexe it has a single fill of a brown silty clay with some stones and it cuts and follows the line of the W ditch of the S rectilinear annexe which may have been visible when it was cut. At the N end it bifurcates briefly, and at the junction with the ditches of the S rectilinear annexe a stone deposit bridged the top of the fills (Path 11). A green glass bead with painted yellow herringbone decoration from it is probably of Irish manufacture and of ninth century date. The E side was of similar dimensions and was partly rock-cut. It was re-cut once and produced high medieval pottery but it cuts the S ditch of the S rectilinear annexe. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 264-271, 339-40) See the attached plan (blue) from McGlade (2020, vol. 1, p 253) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 May 2022

• ME038-080019 Structure
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474). Structure 21 was a circular feature (diam. 6.8m) in the NW part of the S rectilinear annexe. It was defined by sections of arcing slot-trench at N (L 2.5m plus; Wth 0.2m; D 0.14m) and NE-S-W (Wth 0.7m; D 0.2m). Although there are no postholes in the slot-trench there is an entrance gap (Wth 1.4m) at NE. Instead of a slot-trench there were three or four postholes at the perimeter W-NW, and more may have been cut by a late iteration of the W ditch of the S rectilinear annexe. A N-S post-medieval ditch cuts both sections of the slot-trench towards the W edge. The structure has a shallow, nearly central, pit (dims 1.1m x 0.65m; D 0.16m) which may have been intended as a hearth, and the slot-trench cuts the inner ditch of the SW annexe. Because of its proximity to the unused Kiln 24 that was c. 3m to the NE it is suggested by the excavator that this structure might have been a barn, but if the central feature is a hearth this interpretation is unlikely. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 278-283, 323-4) True location: ITM (695953, 752840) See the attached plans from McGlade (2020, P 275, 279) _1 Location; _2 Location; _3 Plan; Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 May 2022

• ME038-080020 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  While the large enclosure, rath and burial ground are preserved under introduced soil in a green area all the available external area was excavated (15E0125) under the direction of S. McGlade in 2018-19 (excavations.ie 2019:474), and amongst other features 25 cereal-drying kilns were recorded in addition to one already noted within the rath (Hession and Moriarty 2009, 19, 20). They were scattered throughout the excavated area but seven were dispersed within the N annexe, and usage culminated in six additional intercutting kilns at the NW angle of that annexe and to facilitate these a large waste pit was cut into the N ditch of the annexe. C-shaped structures associated with fourteen of the kilns and defined by slot-trenches can be interpreted as windbreaks of hurdles, while a circular structure adjacent to an unused kiln S of the rath is interpreted by the excavator as a possible barn. The kilns were not all contemporary, and the smaller ones and those dispersed to the NE of the rath where some are connected with a metalled work-platform might be amongst the earliest. South of the rath/large enclosure material from the ploughed out Kiln 25 was in a N-S boundary gully that pre-dated the S curvilinear annexe, while Kiln 23 was cut by the last ditch of that enclosure. Two kilns (1, 2) were within the E enclosure, which may have been designed for them. The N annexe seems to have been devoted initially to the kilns before being used for an intensive bout of metalworking and finally returning to its original purpose with probably the last activity of the excavated area in the intercutting kilns. Seven kilns are located N of the rath and E of its N annexe. These are usually placed c. 20-25m apart, with three in a N-S line just E of the N annexe that are placed more closely together (c. 6-9m). The N kiln (No. 8) is keyhole-shaped (dims 3.29m x 1.71m; D 0.49m) with evidence of two firings and a windbreak (L c. 5m) around it E-S-W. South of this is Kiln 9, a figure-of-eight example (dims 2.32m x 1.18m; D 0.43m) with at least two firings. Kiln 10, a poorly preserved figure-of-eight kiln (dims 2.1m x 1.08m; D 0.15m) with the remnants of a windbreak (L 6.1m plus) around it E-S-W was about 9m to the SE of Kiln 9. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 86-90) About 70m NE of the rath and just W of a processing area with a metaled surface (dims c. 8m x c. 5m) that was defined by a ditch at W and N a small E-W figure-of-eight kiln (L 2.05m), No. 3, was dug through the silting of the W ditch. This was replaced by Kiln 4, a large N-S structure of two phases dug through the smaller kiln and along the line of the silted ditch. The cut (dims 2.6m x 1.16m; D 0.54m) for its S, stone-lined, firing-chamber connected with its N stone-lined drying-chamber in its own cut. The drying-chamber was later lined with clay, and at least six firings can be distinguished together with burnt clay from the collapse of its superstructure. Kilns 5, a truncated chamber (1.4m x 0.86m; D 0.38m), and 6, a truncated keyhole-shape (dims c. 2.05m x c. 0.9m) were SE and E of the metalled surface respectively. Kiln 7 (L 2.7m plus; D 0.3m) was W of that surface and probably cut into an early phase of the large WNW-ESE boundary ditch (Wth < 3.9m; D 1.65m) as it ran parallel with it, but it was truncated by a re-cutting of the ditch and was overlaid by Path 3. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 78-85) Kiln 1, a keyhole type (diam. c. 0.7m) with the flue (L c. 0.45m) extending E, and Kiln 2 are within the E annexe. Rake-out of kiln 2 appeared in the stratigraphy of the annexe ditch. The original Kiln 2 was a figure-of-eight form (dims c. 2m N-S; c. 1m E-W) and at its N end it cut a wide E-W ditch that seems to be confined to the annexe. This kiln may have been fired from both ends and it was subsequently lengthened (L c. 1.5m) at S by a sloping ramp down to the original S chamber. Stones partially lined this flue and the kiln continued to use the original N chamber for drying (total L c. 3.25m). The S end of the extended kiln cut into another E-W ditch that may have served as a continuation of its flue as the extended kiln was re-used many times. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 106-110) Of the twelve cereal-drying kilns within the area of the N annexe, six in the NW corner probably post-date it but the others are cut by and cut features of the annexe. Kiln 11 was a keyhole type (max. dims c. 2m NE-SW; c. 1.3m NW-SE) with the firing chamber at NE and the flue extending SW with evidence of two firings. It had a large wind-break curving from the fosse of the large enclosure at W that cuts the fosse and swings around to the N c. 6m distant from the kiln. Kiln 12 was a figure-of-eight (dims c. 2.9m E-W; c. 1.4m N-S) feature in the NE angle of the annexe, had the firing chamber at W and had been fired at least three times. The short arc of a windbreak was c. 1.5m to the S. An additional slot-trench for a windbreak extended from its E end to the E annexe ditch, while a line of postholes immediately W of the kiln and extending N could represent another windbreak. Kiln 13 was a figure-of-eight form (dims c. 7.3m N-S; c. 1.7m E-W) that was cut by an E-W subdivision of the annexe at N and it cut the fill of another at S. Its firing chamber was at S and it had at least two firings but no wind-break is associated with it. Kiln 14 is reduced to the flue and part of the chamber of a keyhole kiln that had been truncated by the E ditch of the annexe. It contained burnt and unburned bone as well as metal slag. An arc of a windbreak extended S-W and cut an E-W ditch at its S end and was cut by a re-cut of the eastern annexe ditch. Kiln 15 was a keyhole kiln (dims c. 5m N-S; c. 2m E-W) that was cut by a pit (L c. 1.7m) at its S end. The firing-chamber was at N and it was cut by an E-W ditch of the annexe associated with metalworking. Kiln 22 occupies the entrance gap at the N end of the original line of the W ditch of the N annexe. It is a keyhole type with a rock-cut chamber (dims c. 3.95m N-S; 1.84m E-W; D 0.56) at N and a flue (L c. 3.5m) extending S. It was truncated by a pit at N, so its junction with the large WNW-ESE boundary ditch does not survive. The chamber does truncate a rock-cut posthole that might have related to the original entrance to the annexe, but the kiln might have had only one firing. Three slot-trenches that curve S-W and are 5-10m to the W could have served kiln 22 as a windbreak. (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 149-160, 176-8) Six kilns at the NW angle of the N annexe largely post-date its use as a recognizable bounded space. The earliest was Kiln 16, the truncated bowl (diam. c. 1.7m) of a keyhole kiln that was partially rock-cut and had a flue extending E but its W side was cut by Kiln 17. It had six layers and may have been fired three times. Kiln 17 (dims 4m plus N-S; c. 1.6m E-W) was keyhole-shaped with the flue at S and it was built over a secondary course of the W ditch of the annexe. It was fired at least twice, cut Kiln 16, was truncated by the N-S Kiln 18 to the W, and both 17 and 18 were cut by the E-W Kiln 19 to the S. The flue of Kiln 17 was continued by a channel on its line S of Kiln 19, in which case it had a long rake-out area (L 5m plus). Kiln 18 was keyhole-shaped (dims 4.05m x 1.88m; D 0.84m) with the firing chamber at S and a baffle-stone and stone-lining of the flue directing the heated air to the shallower N drying chamber. There is evidence of four firings, and a double posthole is truncated by the kiln cut. Kiln 19 (dims 7.9m plus E-W; 2.2m N-S; D 1m) had a stone-lined chamber at W with a stone-lined flue extending E where there might also have been a severely damaged stone-lined chamber, making a probable dumbbell shape. Single postholes outside the original cut for the E chamber at N and S probably relate to the initial construction of the superstructure of the chamber, but these were dispensed with for the two subsequent constructions of the E chamber. This kiln could have been fired from either end, a

• ME038-081 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Situated towards the top of a gentle S-facing slope. A magnetic gradiometer survey (09R0089) by D. Harrison identified numerous archaeological features in a field on the N side of the R125 leading W from Dunshaughlin and c. 1km from the centre of the village and the site of St Seachnall’s monastery (ME044-033002-). The central feature is a complex early medieval enclosure or rath with annexes and a burial ground, but a possible ring-ditch was identified c. 90m outside the rath to the NE. The edges of the ring-ditch (int. diam. 6m) were confirmed in excavation (09E0214) by J. Hession and C. Moriarty (2009, 12) when it was encountered at N (Wth 0.6m; D 0.05m) and S (Wth 0.6m; D 0.1m). The slight ditch was filled with a brown silty clay which appeared to be sterile but a sherd of post-medieval creamware was recovered from its surface. An open area excavation (15E0125) by S. McGlade subsequently failed to identify this monument, probably because bedrock was close to the surface and the defining ditch was so shallow. However, the recovery of Bronze Age pottery from a ditch in the vicinity confirms the likely presence of a prehistoric feature (McGlade 2020, vol. 1, 7, 84). See the attached gradiometer data from Hession and Moriarty (2009, fig. 6) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 May 2022

Architectural heritage

No building of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage stands in the townland of Roestown.

Designated sites: National Parks and Wildlife Service. Recorded monuments: Sites and Monuments Record, National Monuments Service. Buildings: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage. 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).

Radon

About 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

Susceptibility low, low (inferred), on the 1:50,000 map; parts are made ground.

Terrain model

No LiDAR survey of the Office of Public Works covers the centre of the townland of Roestown.

Flooding

The flood maps of the Office of Public Works: floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency; Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland; both CC BY 4.0. LiDAR: contains Irish Public Sector Data (Geological Survey Ireland & the Office of Public Works) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.

• Roestown, Dunshaughlin7 sales

Name

Roestown · Baile an Róigh

Area

1,620,302 m² (162.03 ha, 400.39 acres)

Civil parish

Dunshaughlin, and its townlands

Barony

Ratoath

Electoral division

Dunshaughlin, the unit of the census

Census 2022

Dunshaughlin electoral division: 8,517 people in 2,904 households; 82% of households own their home; 50% of homes were built since 2001; 3% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Clowanstown, Cooksland, Dunshaughlin, Garretstown, Leshemstown, Readsland, Redbog, Smithstown

Placenames

Roestown on logainm.ie, the Placenames Database of Ireland

Townlands, civil parishes, baronies and electoral divisions, National Statutory Boundaries, Tailte Éireann, CC BY 4.0. Census 2022, Small Area Population Statistics by electoral division, Central Statistics Office, 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.