Dunboyne

1,335 registered freehold parcels lie mostly in Dunboyne, from 1 m² to 326,743 m² (32.67 ha, 80.74 acres). The dashed line is the townland's boundary. 67 neighbouring parcels touch it.

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

• R2A1 - Existing Residential (Existing residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 1,038 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• P5RA - Rural Area (Mixed/general primary sector uses, including 'rural')
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 120 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M2B1 - Commercial Town or Village Centre (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 84 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C2.1E2 - General Enterprise and Employment (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 38 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• G1F1 - Open Space (Open space, park)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 36 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• R1A2 - New Residential (New/proposed residential)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 17 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• S5G1 - Community Infrastructure (Mixed/general community services/facilities uses)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 13 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• N2.3TU - Transport and Utilities (Mixed/general water/wastewater uses)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 7 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C2.1E2/E3 - General Enterprise and Employment/ Warehousing and Distribution (Industrial, enterprise, employment)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 7 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• M2C1 - Mixed Use (City/Town/village Centre, central area)
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 5 parcels The zoning objective in the plan
• C4E3 - Warehousing and Distribution (Warehouse (excluding retail warehouse))
  Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 (As Varied), Meath · 2 parcels The zoning objective in the plan

Source: Tailte Éireann and the Department of Housing (MyPlan), national zoning, CC BY 4.0.

No planning application touches the townland of Dunboyne in the national file, which goes back to 2010.

Source: National Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, CC BY 4.0. Applicants are not shown.

Designated sites

No designated site (Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Natural Heritage Area or proposed one) touches the townland of Dunboyne.

Recorded monuments

• ME050-021 Settlement cluster
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape with a small WNW-ESE stream S of the settlement, known as the Castle Stream, and the site of the castle is on a rise on the S bank c. 100m from the stream. The name ‘Dunboyne’ includes the Gaelic Dún meaning a fort or strong point, and an element that is variously interpreted as the proper name Beithin (Joyce 1996, 44), Boinne from the River Boyne by the Ordinance Survey (Herity 2001, 114) or Buinne, meaning ‘Yellow River’ (Cogan 1862, vol. 1, 188). No early saint is associated with it, and the medieval parish church was dedicated to St. Peter. The barony of Dunboyne was granted by Hugh de Lacy about 1172 to Willaim le Petit, whose caput or principal manor was at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (WM019-089005-). In 1227 Ralph Petit, bishop of Meath, established the Augustinian priory of the Blessed Virgin at Mullingar (WM019-089009-) and endowed it with the land at Kilbrena (Kilbraynan), now absorbed in the NW part of Dunboyne townland, and the ecclesiastical properties of Dunboyne parish, one of only two in the barony, the other being Kilbride. An early church at Dunboyne is more likely to have been at Kilbraynan (ME050-029----) than where the high medieval settlement developed around the castle, possibly on the site of an earlier rath, and the church. During the reign of Edward II (1307-27) Thomas Butler, the brother of the Earl of Ormonde, married Sinolda, the heiress of Sir William Petit, baron of Dunboyne and Mullingar, and the title of Dunboyne has been held by the Butlers ever since. At the dissolution of the monasteries the Augustinians of Mullingar still held the rectory of Dunboyne together with land at Kylbraynan, Salestown and Dunboyne (White 1943, 288-9). (Cogan 1862, 188-9) A settlement would certainly have grown up around the parish church and castle, but it was never incorporated as a town. However, in 1423 a Provost or mayor and the commons or house-holders are recorded (Cogan, 1862, 188), testifying to a corporate identity although, without incorporation and a charter, its rights and privileges were never enumerated. Nevertheless, it was granted the right to have a weekly market in 1226, and an annual fair from 1229 (CDI 1875, 210, 250). The fair for horses and cattle, held in July, continued into the nineteenth century (Lewis 1839, vol. 1, 568), and at that time Dunboyne also had a commonage of 40 acres known as the ‘Moor of Meath’ (ibid.), which is still a townland at the S edge of the parish. The settlement might never have been prosperous as, unlike Dunshaughlin, it was not on a major overland route. In the Civil Survey (1654) only one stone house owned by Lord Dunboyne and a mill are specifically mentioned but there were 42 tenements (Simington 1940, 129). The stream below the bridge is depicted as wider than normal on the 1836 and 1908 editions of the OS 6-inch map, perhaps the remnants of a mill-pond. The Main Street is a fair green and the settlement, as recorded on the 1835 edition of the OS 6-inch map, is arrayed around it, particularly on the S and W sides. Dunboyne Castle, undoubtedly the site of the caput or centre of the Petit and Butler manor of Dunboyne, is on the S side of the stream in Castlefarm townland but it would have been an integral part of the settlement. In its initial form it appears to have been an earthen ringwork castle (ME050-021007-), but it was replaced by a tower house (ME050-021005-) and other structures in the later middle ages. There has been very little archaeological excavation in the core of the settlement but evidence of what is probably a property boundary (ME050-021010-) has been recorded. (Bradley and King 1985, 56-9) See the attached view of Dunboyne as depicted on the Down Survey (1656-8|) barony map (N at top), courtesy of the National Library of Ireland Copmiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload; 29 October 2021

• ME050-021001 Church
  Description

  Situated on a level landscape with a small W-E stream, which feeds into the NW-SE Tolka river c. 1.5km to the E, c. 80m to the S. The name Dunboyne – Dún Buí – is thought to mean the fort of the yellow river (Cogan 1862-70, 1, 188), although no name is known for the stream. The territories of Dunboyne and Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, were granted by Hugh de Lacy to the Petit family in 1172, and in 1227 when Ralph Petit, bishop of Meath, founded an Augustinian priory dedicated to the Blessed Virgin at Mullingar (WM019-089009-) he endowed it with the large parish of Dunboyne amongst other properties (ibid. 188-9). Early in the 14th century Thomas Butler, a brother of the first Earl of Ormonde, acquired the land of both parishes through marriage with Sinolda, the heiress of Sir William Petit, baron of Dunboyne and Mullingar. There were no Butlers or Petits amongst the landowners of Dunboyne in the Civil Survey (1654-6) (Simington 1940, 130), but the rectory was still amongst the abbey’s possessions at its suppression in 1540 (White 1943, 288). Dunboyne developed into a town (Bradley and King 1985, 56), and this is reflected in its church, which is listed as the second most wealthy in the deanery after Ratoath (ME044-034003-) at 40 marks, in the ecclesiastical taxation (1302-06) of Pope Nicholas IV (Cal. doc. Ire., 5, 254). Ussher (1622) describes it as a ‘great parish church’ but both the church and chancel were ruined (Erlington 1847-64, 1, lxix). According to the Dopping (1682-5) and Royal visitations (1693) the church of SS Peter and Paul was reduced to the standing walls, although the chancel was tolerably repaired. There were slates on its roof and glass in the windows but the floor was clay, and the graveyard was enclosed (Ellison 1971, 38). This chancel was still in use when Butler visited c. 1749 and described the font (1892, 15-16), and it continued to be used until the present Church of Ireland church was built in 1866 c. 10m N of the site of the medieval church. The church is in a subrectangular graveyard (dims c. 80m N-S; c. 70m E-W) defined by earthen banks (Wth c. 5m; H 0.5-01m), with a N-S stream outside the perimeter at N and W. The headstones date from c. 1780 to the present. Cogan (ibid. 189-91) identifies nine chapels-of-ease in the parish at Vessingtown (ME050-009----); Rathleek (ME053-004----); Jarretstown (ME053-005----); Loughsallagh (ME051-006----); Clonee (ME051-007----); and Salestown (ME050-025----). Only those at Portane, Cushinstown, and Kilbraynan, a part of Dunboyne townland, cannot be identified. The remains of the parish church consist of the W tower (ext. dims 7.5m N-S; 6.5m E-W) which is obscured by ivy and now made inaccessible, and wall-footings (Wth 1m; H 0.3m) of the NE angle of the church (L c. 33m E-W). The E-W vault over the ground floor of the tower has collapsed and the ground floor is buried. The N wall is missing but the first floor has a single-light ogee-headed window on the W wall, a blocked doorway in the E wall, which would have led to a gallery at the W end of the nave, and a fireplace at the E end of the S wall. A doorway at the W end of the S wall leads to a newel stairs at the SE angle, which gives access to the second and third floors that are now inaccessible. These upper floors have window embrasures in their S and W walls and a parapet above. Architectural fragments now in the church porch suggest a 15th or 16th century date for much of the church. (Bradley and King 1985, 56-7) The late 16th century limestone font is still functioning in the present church (Roe 1968, 46-8). It is octagonal (ext. dim. 0.68m; H 0.51m) with a flat-bottomed basin (int. diam. 0.48m; D 0.22m) and chamfered under-panels. The shaft (H 0.34m) is octagonal on top with plain stops on four of its sides merging into a rectangle at the bottom (dims 0.4m x 0.4m), which rests on a modern base (total H 1.05m). The inscription in initials with the date 1579 is in false relief and runs across four of the upper panels. A second, plain font (ibid. 115) is in the porch. It is rectangular (ext. dims 0.54m; H 0.4m) with a circular, flat-bottomed basin (int. diam. 0.4m; D 0.17m plus). It has hollow chamfers at the angles, so it appears octagonal from above and the form morphs to circular at the bottom (diam. c. 0.4m). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 13 April, 2015

• ME050-021002 Architectural fragment
  Description

  Architectural fragments kept in the porch of the present Church of Ireland church suggest a 15th or 16th century date for much of the medieval church (ME050-021001-). (Bradley and King 1985, 56-7) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 13, April, 2015

• ME050-021003 Font
  Description

  The late 16th century limestone font from the parish church of Dunboyne (ME050-021001-), which was first described by Butler c. 1749 (1892, 15-16), is still functioning in the present Church of Ireland church (Roe 1968, 46-8). It is octagonal (ext. dim. 0.68m; H 0.51m) with a flat-bottomed basin (int. diam. 0.48m; D 0.22m) and chamfered under-panels. The shaft (H 0.34m) is octagonal on top with plain stops on four of its sides merging into a rectangle at the bottom (dims 0.4m x 0.4m), which rests on a modern base (total H 1.05m). The inscription in initials is in false relief and runs across four of the upper panels. It reads: S.W. / C.E.B. / I. (or J) W. / 1579. A second font (ME050-021006-) is kept in the porch. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 13, April, 2015

• ME050-021004 Graveyard
  Description

  Situated on a level landscape with a small W-E stream, which feeds into the NW-SE Tolka river c. 1.5km to the E, c. 80m to the S. The medieval parish church of Dunboyne (ME050-021001-) is within a subrectangular graveyard (dims c. 80m N-S; c. 70m E-W) defined by earthen banks (Wth c. 5m; H 0.5-01m) with a N-S stream outside the perimeter at N and W. The headstones date from c. 1780 to the present. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 13, April, 2015

• ME050-021006 Font
  Description

  A plain font is kept in the porch of the present church on the site of the medieval church of Dunboyne (ME050-021001-). It is rectangular (ext. dims 0.54m; H 0.4m) with a circular, flat-bottomed basin (int. diam. 0.4m; D 0.17m plus). It has hollow chamfers at the angles, so it appears octagonal from above and the form morphs to circular at the bottom (diam. c. 0.4m). (Roe 1968, 115)

• ME050-021010 Excavation - miscellaneous
  Description

  Located within the likely extent of the medieval settlement of Dunboyne. Archaeological testing (14E0126) by R. Meenan on the SW side of the NW-SE Summerhill Road (excavations.ie 2014: 4678) uncovered and sampled part of an ENE-WSW ditch (Wth of top 1.1m; D 0.8m) that was filled with a soft grey silty clay that had occasional flecks of charcoal and lumps of brown boulder clay. It produced eight sherds of Dublin-type ware and one of Leinster cooking ware, and a date in the thirteenth century is likely for what may have been a property boundary. (Meenan 2014) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 October 2021

• ME050-027 Enclosure - large enclosure
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape. A large D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 120m NNE-SSW; c. 100m WNW-ESE) with the straight side at S where it is aligned with a mapped field bank to its E was recorded by L. Swan in oblique aerial photographs c. 1970 (http://lswanaerial.locloudhosting.net/items/show/40165.). It appears to be defined by the remains of a wide earthen bank and an external fosse. A partial magnetic gradiometer and earth resistance survey (00R0014) by I. Elliott (2000) confirmed the presence of the ditch and Elliott’s research highlighted the fact that it is represented as a boundary on the Down Survey (1656-8) parish map of Dunboyne. Archaeological monitoring (03E1112) by D. J. O’Connor identified the V-shaped fosse (Wth 2.75m; D 1.3m) in two sample trenches (excavations.ie 2003:1389), but the monument had no visible profile. Further excavation was continued by F. O’Carroll (excavations.ie 2003:1390) under the same licence. This uncovered evidence of at least one re-cut of the fosse in the post-medieval period, along with modern field boundaries and drains, some of the latter within the original fill of the ditch. The ceramic finds where usually in mixed contexts and dated from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries, but the excavator concluded that the enclosure was established in the thirteenth to fourteenth century. The original V-shaped ditch had an inner bank, although the bank does not survive, and the ditch held standing water. After silting over centuries, it was re-cut as slightly larger in the post-medieval period when smaller drains from the external area fed into the fosse. Although the fosse and its bank were substantial, no evidence of any settlement or habitation was uncovered, and its purpose is likely to have been agricultural. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 29 October 2021

• ME050-029 Church
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape at the NW edge of Dunboyne townland in an area that was known as Kilbraynan. The barony of Dunboyne was granted by Hugh de Lacy to Willaim le Petit, whose caput or principal manor was at Mullingar (WM019-089001-), Co. Westmeath. In 1227 Ralph Petit, bishop of Meath, founded the Augustinian priory of the Blessed Virgin at Mullingar (WM019-089009-) and endowed it with the land of Kilbrena (Kilbraynan) and the ecclesiastical properties of Dunboyne parish, one of only two parishes in the barony, the other being Kilbride. At the dissolution of the monasteries the Augustinians of Mullingar still held the rectory of Dunboyne together with land at Kylbraynan that was let to a Thomas Lutterell and other property in the parish (White 1943, 288-9). According to the local folklore the walls of the monastery were standing until c. 1800 (IFC: Schools’ Collection, vol. 0688, 068). (Cogan 1862, 188-9) An oblique aerial photograph by L. Swan from the early 1970s shows a complex of earthwork banks, but at the centre is a rectangular enclosure (dims c. 40m N-S; c. 35m E-W) defined by what are probably low earthen banks. This could be overlying a circular enclosure (diam. c. 50m) defined by slighter features. All these are within a larger subcircular enclosure (dims c. 100m N-S; c. 90m E-W), and elements of a field system overlie all the features. The visible profiles of these features were removed in 1972 as further photographs by L. Swan demonstrate. Human remains and a bronze-coated iron hand-bell from Dunboyne were acquired by the National Museum of Ireland at this time, possibly from this location. The area was subject to partial magnetic gradiometer and earth resistance surveys (00R0014) by I. Elliot (2000) where the features recorded in the aerial photograph were confirmed. This could be the site of an early church with an ecclesiastical enclosure, although no known saint is associated with it. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 1 November 2021

• ME050-030 Field system
  Description

  Situated on a fairly level landscape. Aerial photographs by L. Swan (LS_AS_67BWN_00132) from the early 1970s record elements of a rectangular field system covering an extensive area (dims c. 220m NW-SE; c. 220m NE-SW) between the large enclosure (ME050-027----) to the SE and the possible church site (ME050-029----) to the NW, but not connected directly with either and different in character to both. The fields are large and rectangular (dims c. 60-120m x c. 30-50m), and appear to be defined by single ditches that correspond closely to features represented on the Down Survey (1656-8) barony and parish maps. They also run generally parallel with the current boundaries but are probably medieval in date. The area was subject to a partial magnetic gradiometer and earth resistance survey (00R0014) by I. Elliot (2000) where the features recorded in the aerial photographs are confirmed. Elliott’s results suggest that the enclosing elements consisted primarily of hedges. The NE-SW by-pass road (R157) for Dunboyne cut through the area, and centre-line testing (04E0487) by R. O’Hara (2004, 10-11) noted four of these ditches of uniform character (Wth c. 1.2m; D 0.5m) with homogenous fills from which nothing was recovered except some snail shells (excavations.ie 2004:1229). Further excavation (E003024) by R. Elliott (excavations.ie 2004:1554) of Dunboyne 4 recorded the drain features in detail and recovered post-medieval and modern ceramics from them. The long structure (ME050-062001-) and its associated possible kiln (ME050-062002-) were also identified and excavated but they are unrelated to the fields (Elliott 2008). Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November, 2021

• ME050-031 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Located on a level landscape. The cropmark of a small ring-ditch (diam. c. 8m) is visible on Bing images (c. 2013). It is also visible on Google Earth (12/07/2013; 24/06/2018), and is located just N of a modern ENE-WSW field bank with drains on either side that is now removed but the drains are visible as cropmark features. The ring-ditch was first noted by Donal Lucy and the enclosure (ME050-032001-) and ring-ditch (ME050-032002-) are c. 250m to the S. A gradiometer survey (17R0075) by Earthsound confirmed the presence of this feature and identified some other anomalies, which were archaeologically tested (17E0399) by D. McIlreavy (excavations.ie 2017:431). This feature was not tested as it will be preserved in situ within the development (McIlreavy 2017). See the attached enhanced view from Bing images (2013) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 February, 2016 Amended: 3 November, 2021

• ME050-032001 Enclosure
  Description

  Located on a level landscape. The cropmark of a D-shaped enclosure (dims c. 75m NW-SE; c. 40m NE-SW) defined by single fosse features and with straight sides at NW and SE is visible on Bing images (2013). It was first noted by Donal Lucy and is divided across the middle by another ditch feature while there may be an entrance gap on the SW side of the NW paddock. A small ring-ditch (diam. c. 10m) is in the SE enclosure, and it is cut slightly by the cropmark of a modern NE-SW drain. The ring-ditch (ME050-031----) is c. 250m to the N. A gradiometer survey (17R0075) by Earthsound confirmed the presence of this feature and identified some other anomalies, but the monument will be preserved in situ. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 February, 2016 Amended: 3 November 2021

• ME050-032002 Ring-ditch
  Description

  Located on a level landscape. A small ring-ditch (diam. c. 10m) is visible on Bing images (2013) within a D-shaped enclosure (ME050-032001-). it is cut slightly by the cropmark of a modern NE-SW drain and It was first noted by Donal Lucy. The ring-ditch (ME050-031----) is c. 250m to the N. A gradiometer survey (17R0075) by Earthsould confirmed the presence of this feature and identified some other anomalies, all of which were archaeologically tested (17E0399) by D. McIlreavy (excavations.ie 2017, 431). The defining fosse (Wth of top 1.8-2.8m; D 0.65-0.85m) of this enclosure is round bottomed with a loose brown sandy clay fill. It produced no artefacts where sampled, but two sherds of thirteenth century pottery were recovered in the topsoil. The enclosure will be preserved in situ. (McIlreavy 2017) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 February, 2016 Amended: 3 November 2021

• ME050-046 Pit-burial
  Description

  Situated in the N-S valley of the meandering Tolka River. Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0489) by R. O’Hara prior to the construction of the M3 motorway identified two spreads of charcoal (excavations.ie: 2004:1191) that were fully excavated (E003029) by L. Clarke (excavations.ie 2005:AD8) as Dunboyne 1. A shallow pit (dims 0.46m x 0.41m; D 0.14) was 9.5m WNW of a second pit (dims 0.8mk x 0.7m; D 0.05m), both of which were filled with two layers of compact grey/black clays with varying inclusions of stone, charcoal and cremated bone. A sample of hazel or alder charcoal from the smaller pit produced a C14 date of 1530-1410 cal. BC, while a sample of hazel/whitethorn charcoal from the larger yielded a date of 1260-1000 cal. BC. The bone from this pit could not be positively identified as human, but no other artefacts or features were recorded. (Clarke 2008) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 4 November 2021

• ME050-060001 Structure
  Description

  Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0489) by R. O’Hara of Testing Area 5 of Contract 1 prior to the construction of the M3 motorway identified archaeological features (excavations.ie: 2004:1191) that were fully excavated (E003034) by the same archaeologist as Dunboyne 2 in August/September 2005. The features were deeply truncated by medieval quarrying, and tree-bowls, possibly from a prehistoric clearance, were also present. Two parallel NW-SE drains c. 1.5m apart run through the excavated area and contained both medieval and post-medieval artefacts. Numerous small finds, including flint and chert flakes, the base of a stone mortar, and an iron arrowhead were retrieved from the ploughsoil. A circular structure, two corn-drying kilns, and evidence of metal-working was recorded. An arc of seven pits enclosed more than half a circular area (int. diam. c. 6.1m) but its S edge had been destroyed by medieval quarrying. The pits are broad shallow ovals (dims 0.9m x 0.6m; D 0.07m to 1.9m x 0.5m; D 0.07m) filled with dark grey/brown silty clays with charcoal flecking. One pit (dims 1.65m x 0.67m; D 0.37m) was less truncated with a similar fill from which a C14 date of 729-262 cal. BC was derived from a piece of blackthorn charcoal. Two smaller pits and a post-hole were less than 1m inside the line of defining pits. The outer pits may have been a drip-gully from the eaves or the slot-trench for the wall of a small circular hut-site. An area of oxidised subsoil (dims 1.5m x 1m) c. 3m to the N was probably a hearth where a Group VI tuff stone axe was found. Two flint flakes were the only (residual) artefacts recovered. (O’Hara 2009, 2-4) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of uplaod: 3 November 2021 O’Hara, R. 2009 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 1 Clonee – Dunshaughlin. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Dunboyne 2, Co. Meath. Licence: E003034. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services

• ME050-060002 Kiln - corn-drying
  Description

  Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0489) by R. O’Hara of Testing Area 5 of Contract 1 prior to the construction of the M3 motorway identified archaeological features (excavations.ie: 2004:1191) that were fully excavated (E003034) by the same archaeologist as Dunboyne 2 in August/September 2005. The features were deeply truncated by medieval quarrying, and tree-bowls, possibly from a prehistoric clearance, were also present. Two parallel NW-SE drains c. 1.5m apart run through the excavated area and contained both medieval and post-medieval artefacts. Numerous small finds, including flint and chert flakes, the base of a stone mortar, and an iron arrowhead were retrieved from the ploughsoil. A circular structure, two corn-drying kilns, and evidence of metal-working was recorded. The remains of two oval kilns (dims 1.39m x 0.68m; D 0.26m: 1.02m x 0.68m; D 0.26m) were located c. 5-6m NW and E of the structure (ME050-060----). They both had oxidized bases where charred wheat, hazel and cherry were present, although barley was dominant. A fragment of alder charcoal from the smaller of the kilns yielded a C14 date of 401-206 cal. BC. (O’Hara 2009, 5) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November, 2021

• ME050-060003 Furnace
  Description

  Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0489) by R. O’Hara of Testing Area 5 of Contract 1 prior to the construction of the M3 motorway identified archaeological features (excavations.ie: 2004:1191) that were fully excavated (E003034) by the same archaeologist as Dunboyne 2 in August/September 2005. The features were deeply truncated by medieval quarrying, and tree-bowls, possibly from a prehistoric clearance, were also present. Two parallel NW-SE drains c. 1.5m apart run through the excavated area and contained both medieval and post-medieval artefacts. Numerous small finds, including flint and chert flakes, the base of a stone mortar, and an iron arrowhead were retrieved from the ploughsoil. A circular structure, two corn-drying kilns, and evidence of metal-working was recorded. Two Ironworking bowl-furnaces were c. 32 and c. 37m ENE of the structure. A small furnace bottom (diam. 0.25m; D 0.08m) was c. 5m E of a large furnace (diam. 1m; D 0.1m). Both had oxidised bases and were filled with loose black/grey clays with hazel charcoal and metal waste. A date cannot be ascribed to them. (O’Hara 2009, 5) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November 2021

• ME050-061 Pit
  Description

  Archaeological centre-line testing (04E0489) by R. O’Hara of Testing Area 5 of Contract 1 prior to the construction of the M3 motorway identified archaeological features (excavations.ie: 2004:1191) that were excavated (E003035) by the same archaeologist as Dunboyne 3 in August 2005. A kidney-shaped pit (dims 2.5m x 0.6-1.1m; max. D 0.3m) was filled with two light-grey/brown clays that contained bone flecks and frequent charcoal inclusions. Flint and chert debitage as well as 22 sherds from six vessels, a carinated Neolithic bowl and five Beaker vessels, were recovered, and other sherds had been retrieved in the original testing. Two of the Beaker vessels had comb-impressed lines immediately below the rims, and shell-impressed lines could represent all-over ornament on another Beaker vessel. The charcoal was dominated by samples of ash, with elm, oak, hawthorn and hazel also present. The pit probably represents domestic waste from a settlement in the vicinity that is outside the road-corridor. A fragment of ash charcoal from the secondary fill produced a radiocarbon date of 2576-2341 cal. BC. (O’Hara 2008) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November 2021 O’Hara, R. 2008 M3 Clonee - North of Kells, Contract 1 Clonee – Dunshaughlin. Final Report on the Archaeological Excavation of Dunboyne 3, Co. Meath. Licence: E003035. Unpublished report, Archaeological Consultancy Services

• ME050-062001 Structure
  Description

  Situated on a slight rise in a generally level landscape. Archaeological testing (04E0487) by R. O’Hara on the link-road (R157) for Dunboyne set aside this area for resolution as Dunboyne 4 (excavations. ie 2004:1229). Archaeological excavation (E003024) by R. Elliott (excavations.ie 2004:1554) recorded elements of the field system (ME050-030----) as well as this prehistoric structure and the possible kiln (ME050-062002-). Nineteenth century quarrying, the importation of soils and subsequent ploughing severely truncated most of the archaeological features. Thirty one stake and post-holes were recorded in one area, and twenty three of these create a long narrow structure (dims 13m plus ENE-WSW; 3.5m NNW-SSE) extending outside the road-take to the WSW. A strictly regular pattern is not discernible but two post-holes just outside the S line towards the E end have ramps from the S, and a C14 date of 2117-1779 cal. BC was returned from one of these. A large post-hole at the E edge also has a ramp at the E edge. This produced two sherds of Middle-Late Bronze Age pottery together with cremated bone, from which a C14 date of 971-804 cal. BC was returned. A sample of charcoal from another post-hole yielded a date of 1115-853 cal. BC. The nature of this structure is uncertain, but it has neither slot-trenches nor a hearth, and the fairly even distribution of the post-holes suggests that it could be a post-alignment, except that its scale is reduced. See the attached plan from Elliott (2008, fig. 8) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November 2021

• ME050-062002 Kiln
  Description

  Situated on a slight rise in a generally level landscape. Archaeological testing (04E0487) by R. O’Hara on the link-road (R157) for Dunboyne set aside this area for resolution as Dunboyne 4 (excavations. ie 2004:1229). Archaeological excavation (E003024) by R. Elliott (excavations.ie 2004:1554) recorded elements of the field system (ME050-030----) as well as this structure that is interpreted as a kiln and the prehistoric structure (ME050-062001-). This consists of a large sub-oval pit (max. dims 3.35m N-S; 1.3m E-W; D 0.43m) with a clay lining. It has two bowls with a connecting flue but many of the fills contained burnt stone. Some uncharred grain was recovered, but a sample of hazel charcoal from a basal fill yielded a C14 determination of 2117-1779 cal. BC. This sample must have been contaminated somehow. A subrectangular cut (dims 1.9m x 1.35m; D 0.17m) for a bellows was connected to the S bowl by a narrow channel, but much of the bellows pit was damaged by a large modern quarry to its S. (Elliott 2008, 3-4) Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 3 November 2021

Architectural heritage

• Bridge, 1860–1865 · Regional interest
  Description

  Single-arch railway bridge over tracks, built c.1862, with squared rubble stone walls. Rock-faced limestone voussoirs, string courses and cappings.

• Post box, 1930–1950 · Regional interest
  Description

  Cast-iron post box, erected c.1940, with moulded neck, cap and P & T insignia.

• Dunboyne Cottage, house, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey house, built c.1880, with central porch. Hipped slate roof with corbelled eaves course, cast-iron rainwater goods and red brick chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls with rendered platband, continuous sill course and quoins. Rendered aprons and surrounds to replacement windows. Timber pilasters to porch with carved brackets supporting porch roof sprung. Bounded by spear-headed cast-iron railings on plinth walls with pair of cast-iron gates.

• W. Brady, house, 1850–1890 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached eight-bay two-storey house, built c.1870, now also in use as public house. Formerly a pair of houses. Pitched artificial slate roof with rendered chimneystacks. Rendered walls. Segmental-arched and square-headed openings with timber sash windows and stone sills. Pair of shopfronts to the ground floor. Extension to rear.

• Catholic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, church/chapel, 1955–1960 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached gable-fronted church, built 1956, with projecting entrance porch, and three-stage bell tower to the south-east. Pitched copper-clad roof to church, moulded copper-clad roof to bell tower. Rendered walls with quoins, and with recessed arched recesses to entrance elevation with concrete dressings. Stained glass windows set in round-headed openings with rendered surrounds and concrete sills. Pair of timber battened doors with strap hinges and fanlight, set in round-headed opening. Bounded by snecked granite walls with granite gate piers. 1798 memorial stone to south.

• Presbytery/parochial/curate's house, 1875–1880 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey parochial house, built 1878, with flat-roofed central porch. Hipped slate roof with corbelled eaves course, cast-iron rainwater goods and red brick chimneystacks. Roughcast rendered walls with limestone quoins. Timber sash windows with concrete and limestone sills. Double light ogee-headed windows with carved limestone surrounds to west elevation. Pairs of pilasters supporting entablature, and flanking round-headed opening with impost mouldings. Pair of timber panelled doors with fanlight, approached by flight of limestone steps. Rock-faced limestone boundary walls with cast-iron gate.

• Dunboyne National School, school, 1905–1910 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached nine-bay single-storey national school, built c.1908 comprising three central bays flanked by gabled breakfront end bays. Pitched slate roof with red brick chimneystacks, wrought-iron finials, cast-iron vent and timber bargeboards. Rendered walls with red brick eaves course and carved stone plaques. Segmental-arched window openings with stone sills. Timber panelled double doors with segmental-arched overlights. Bounded by plinth wall with wrought-iron railings and gates.

• House, 1890–1930 · Regional interest
  Description

  Terrace of four three-bay two-storey houses, built c.1910. Hipped artificial slate roof with brick eaves course, cast-iron rainwater goods and red brick chimneystacks. Rendered walls with stone quoins. Red brick dressings to window openings, with some stone sills and timber sash windows. Red brick dressing to door openings.

• House, 1890–1930 · Regional interest
  Description

  Terrace of ten three-bay two-storey houses, built c.1910. Hipped artificial slate roof with brick eaves course, cast-iron rainwater goods and red brick chimneystacks. Rendered walls with stone quoins. Red brick dressings to window openings, with some stone sills and timber sash windows. Red brick dressing to door openings.

• Courthill, gate lodge, 1860–1900 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay single-storey former gate lodge, built c.1880, now in use as private house. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystack and cast-iron rainwater goods. Rendered walls. Timber bay windows flanking projecting timber porch. Glazed timer door. Bounded by rendered wall and gate piers with pair of cast-iron gates.

• Courthill, country house, 1820–1840 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached three-bay two-storey over basement country house, built c.1835, and remodelled c.1900. Comprising of central pedimented bay, with recessed porch with Doric columns, flanked by recessed arches with inset window. Early twentieth-century Mansard slate roof with pedimented dormer windows. Two-stage tower to the east elevation. Rendered walls with panelled pilasters. Timber casement windows with stone sills. Round-arched door opening with timber panelled door, fanlight and sidelights. Cast-iron balustrade to front. Outbuildings, stable block and walled garden to the north-east.

• Saint Peter's Church (Dunboyne), church/chapel, 1865–1870 · Regional interest
  Description

  Detached church, built 1866, comprising of five-bay side elevations to nave, with apse to the east, porch to south and vestry to the north. Pitched slate roof with brick bellcote to west gable. Rock-faced limestone walls with yellow brick quoins, and with a buttress to the centre of the west elevation. Single and paired pointed-arched window openings with brick surrounds, limestone sills and stained glass windows. Pointed arch door opening with brick surround and carved limestone hood moulding. Set within graveyard with remains of medieval church tower. Bounded by rendered rubble limestone walls and gate piers with spear-headed cast-iron railings.

• Saint Peter's Church (Dunboyne), mausoleum, 1795–1800 · Regional interest
  Description

  Freestanding mausoleum, erected c.1799, comprising of ashlar cube, surmounted by carved stone urn. Ashlar granite walls with channelled quoins and carved stone plaques. Tuscan columns flanking entrance door. Carved limestone dressings to window openings.

• Bridge, 1840–1860 · Regional interest
  Description

  Single-arch rock-faced limestone railway bridge with string courses and copings, built c.1850, carrying the road over the former railway track which is now disused.

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

At the centre of the townland of Dunboyne, about 1 in 20 homes in this area is likely to have high radon levels. Testing a home

Landslides

The 1:50,000 map rates the landslide susceptibility here as low, partly inferred. Parts of the land are made ground and water.

Terrain model

LiDAR of the Office of Public Works, flown in 2011, at 2 m: tile OPW_2966 (ZIP).

Flooding

The Office of Public Works publishes its flood maps on floodinfo.ie.

Radon Risk Map of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency, and Landslide Susceptibility Classification, Geological Survey Ireland, both under 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.

No address of the register names Dunboyne with five sales or more. The sales of the area are on the page of Co. Meath.

Name

Dunboyne · Dún Búinne

Area

3,858,212 m² (385.82 ha, 953.38 acres)

Civil parish

Dunboyne, and its townlands

Barony

Dunboyne

Electoral division

Dunboyne, the unit of the census

Census 2022

10,698 people lived in 3,434 households in the Dunboyne electoral division. 78% of households owned their home. 39% of homes were built since 2001. 6% of dwellings stood vacant on census night, and 0% were holiday homes.

Neighbouring townlands

Ballymagillin, Bennetstown, Bracetown, Castlefarm, Colliersland North, Colliersland South, Cradockstown, Cushinstown, Loughsallagh, Naulswood, Pace, Paddingstown, Sarney, Warrenstown

Placenames

Dunboyne 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.