Archaeological Assessment of a Proposed SHD Development at The Spires, Commons, Road, , Co. Meath

Client: Manley Construction Limited

ITM: 703696, 768443

Planning Ref.: APB 306637.20

Magda Lyne

19 August 2020

ACS Ref.: 1971 PROJECT DETAILS

Project Archaeological Assessment of a proposed SHD development site at The Spires, Commons, Navan Road, Duleek, Co. Meath

Report Type Archaeological Assessment

Archaeologist Magda Lyne

Client Manley Construction Limited

Site The Spires, Commons, Navan Road, Duleek, Co. Meath

Townland Commons

ITM Ref. 703696,768443

Planning Ref. No. ABP 306637.20

RMP No. N/A

Protected Structures N/A

Report Date 22 July 2020

ACS Ref. 1971

Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY

This report presents the findings of an Archaeological Assessment undertaken on behalf of Manley Construction Ltd. of a proposed Strategic Housing Development (SHD) in the townland of Commons, Co. Meath (ITM 703696,768443) in order to determine if any archaeological constraints are present in relation to the proposed development. This assessment includes the results of geophysical survey and test trenching and aims to identify and describe known and potential archaeological and cultural heritage constraints within the study area and offer recommendations for the mitigation of such potential impacts if necessary.

The site is located on lands to the north of Navan Road R150 in the townland of Commons, west of the town of Duleek The proposed development area consists of 3 hedge-bounded fields. A modern shed structure is located in the north- eastern part of the proposed development. The south western corner of the site is located adjacent to the Duleek GAA Grounds and the remainder of the southern boundary fronts onto the Navan Road (R150). The remaining boundaries are adjacent to agricultural fields, the north western and north eastern areas adjacent to residential properties. The north eastern corner of the site is adjacent to a road L5609.

The site contains no Recorded Monuments, while the nearest such monument a church (ME027-038001) is located c. 0.6 km to the northwest of the site. The study area is located c. 0.5 km west- of the zone of archaeological potential for Duleek town (ME027-038). The site contains no Protected Structures as listed in the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 and no structures listed in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage for . The nearest such structures are teachers houses (MH027-200 and MH027-201, NIAH Reg. No. 14321012) located c. 0.8 km to the east of the site.

An assessment of the available cartographic sources included pre-Ordnance Survey mapping; The Down Survey map of County Meath (1654-56) and Taylor and Skinner’s map (1777). Ordnance Survey maps of the area were examined in order to identify any possible archaeological features and to trace the development of the site during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. No buildings are depicted within the area of the development site on either the first edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 6-inch map of 1836 or on the OS 25-inch map of 1907–11. By the time of the 25-inch map of 1907–11, however, a number of field boundaries have been added to the previously open greenfield site. Both maps also illustrate the townland boundary between Commons and Downestown, which defines the western boundary of the proposed development site.

The site was subject to an Archaeological Desktop Assessment in November 2019 by the author. This recommended that geophysical survey of the site be undertaken followed by archaeological testing informed by same, targeting anomalies if present. Subsequently Linda Clarke of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd. was appointed by the client to obtain a licence for geophysical survey and archaeological test trenching. Both of these were issued in November 2019 by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in consultation with the National Museum of

The geophysical survey was conducted by Linda Clarke of ACSU in November 2019, under Licence 19R0260. A full detailed gradiometer survey was undertaken throughout available and suitable areas within the application site using a

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Bartington GRAD 601-2 dual sensor fluxgate gradiometer system. No definitive signs of archaeology were present within the survey area, although anomalies warranting further investigation were identified. A programme of targeted archaeological test trenching of the anomalies was recommended in order to assess the nature and extent of the potential features and to assess the site overall. Subsequently, all anomalies identified by the geophysical survey were investigated during archaeological test trenching undertaken by Linda Clarke under licence 19E0745. This fieldwork took place in February 2020 using a 14-tonne tracked excavator. A total of 12 test trenches were excavated across the footprint of the proposed development. Each trench measured 1.8 m in width and in total 857 m of linear trenches were excavated. In general, the trenches were excavated to a depth of c. 0.30–0.57 m, exposing natural subsoil. No archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified and no finds were recovered. All anomalies identified in the geophysical survey were non-archaeological in nature.

The results of this assessment conclude that future development of this site would be very unlikely to impact previously unrecorded archaeological features/deposits, as suggested by the results of the recent assessments (geophysical survey and test trenching). There are no recorded archaeological monuments, no protected structures within the site. Consequently, it is recommended that the development be allowed to proceed without further archaeological mitigation.

However, in the unlikely event that an archaeological feature or artefact is found during construction groundworks, this must be left where it is found, and reported to the Director of the National Museum or the National Monuments Service within 48 hours, as stipulated in the National Monuments Acts 1930 - 2004.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 Site location ...... 1 2. THE DEVELOPMENT ...... 1 2.1 Proposal ...... 1 2.2 Archaeological Requirements ...... 1 3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT ...... 2 3.1 Archaeological & Historical Background...... 2 3.2 Record of Monuments and Places ...... 3 3.3 Stray Archaeological Finds ...... 5 3.4 Previous Excavations ...... 5 3.5 Protected Structures and National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) sites ...... 6 3.6 Cartographic Review ...... 7 3.7 Aerial Photography ...... 7 4. Archaeological Assessment ...... 8 4.1 Geophysical Survey Results (2019) ...... 8 4.2. Test Trenching ...... 9 5. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 10 6. REFERENCES ...... 11

List of Tables

Table 1: Recorded Monuments in the environs of the proposed development site

Table 2: Stray archaeological finds in the environs of the proposed development site

Table 3: Previous archaeological investigations in the environs of the proposed development site

Table 4: Protected Structures and National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) sites

Table 5: Trench description

Table 6: Context description

List of Figures

Figure 1 Location of site

Figure 2: Location of site, previous excavations and nearby Sites and Monuments Record sites

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Figure 3: Extract from Down Survey map of County Meath, Barony of Duleek (1654-56), showing approximate location of site

Figure 4: Extract from Taylor and Skinner's ' Maps of the roads of Ireland ' - Map 41 Drogheda by Naul and Duleek (1777), showing approximate location of site

Figure 5: Extract from 1st edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 6-inch map (1836), showing location of site

Figure 6: Extract from 3rd edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 25-inch map (1907-11), showing location of site

Figure 7: Aerial view of site

Figure 8: Geophysical survey results (grey scale image)

Figure 9: Geophysical survey interpretation

Figure 10: Aerial view of site, showing location of excavated test trenches

Figure 11: Details of site development, showing location of excavated test trenches

Figure 12: Details of the proposed development

List of Plates

Plate 1: Trench 1, facing south

Plate 2: Trench 2, facing north

Plate 3: Trench 3, facing south

Plate 4: Trench 4, facing west

Plate 5: Trench 5, facing south

Plate 6: Trench 6, facing north

Plate 7: Trench 7, facing east

Plate 8: Trench 8, facing north-east

Plate 9: Trench 9, facing south-west

Plate 10: Trench 10, facing west

Plate 11: Trench 11, facing south

Plate 12: Trench 12, facing north

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

1. INTRODUCTION This report presents the findings of an Archaeological Assessment that includes the results of geophysical survey and test trenching of a proposed SHD residential development at The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath (ITM 703696,768443, Figures 1-2).

An Archaeological Desktop Assessment was carried out in November 2019 by the author. This recommended that geophysical survey of the site be undertaken followed by archaeological testing informed by same, targeting anomalies if present. Subsequently Linda Clarke of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd. was appointed by the client to obtain a licence for geophysical survey and archaeological test trenching. The geophysical licence (19R0260) and testing licence (19E0745) was issued in November 2019 by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland.

1.1 Site location

The site is located on lands to the north of Navan Road R150 in the townland of Commons, west of the town of Duleek (ITM 703696,768443, Figures 1-2). The proposed development area consists of 3 hedge-bounded fields. A modern shed structure is located in the north-eastern part of the proposed development. The south western corner of the site is located adjacent to the Duleek GAA Grounds and the remainder of the southern boundary fronts onto the Navan Road (R150). The remaining boundaries are adjacent to agricultural fields, the north western and north eastern areas adjacent to residential properties. The north eastern corner of the site is adjacent to a road L5609.

2. THE DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Proposal

This Archaeological Assessment includes the results of the geophysical survey and test trenching. These had been carried out on behalf of the client in relation to an application for a Strategic Housing Development (Figure 12). The proposed development is currently under consideration by an Bord Pleanála (APB 306637.20), and is to include 142 no. residential units (82 no. houses, 60 no. apartments) and associated works.

2.2 Archaeological Requirements

This assessment was carried out at the request of the client, in conjunction with a Strategic Housing Development (SHD) Application.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

3. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 3.1 Archaeological & Historical Background

Commons townland

Commons (An Coimín) is a townland in the Civil Parish of Duleek and the Barony of Lower Duleek and much of the town of Duleek is situated within this townland. The name is thought to come from coimín, which can be translated as common land, little hollow glen (www.logainm.ie) and traditionally local people had rights to graze their livestock and geese on these lands (Duleek Heritage Trail). The townland of Commons contains a number of Recorded Monuments, most located within the Historic Town of Duleek (ME027-038) these are described below.

Duleek

Duleek is situated on the northern bank of the River Nanny in County Meath and is best known as an important Early Christian monastic site. There is no evidence for prehistoric activity within the town but a number of Early Bronze Age burials were discovered at Keenoge, immediately to the southwest (Bradley 1985).

The modern street plan of Duleek retains the shape of the Early Christian enclosure, which is well documented in early manuscripts. The name Duleek is derived from the old Irish word for stone church, Damliac, and there is a tradition that Duleek was the location for the first stone church in Ireland (Bradley 1985). References to the stone church in Duleek occur in Tirechan’s Life of St Patrick and in the Annals of Ulster for the year AD 724 (Edwards 1990). References to the abbots and bishops of Duleek are recorded in the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of the Four Masters. The founding saint of Duleek is regarded as St Cianan.

Also to be found in the annals are references to the plundering of the monastery of Duleek by the Norsemen between the eight and twelfth centuries. In AD 1111, at the Synod of Rathbreasail, Duleek was selected as one of the bishoprics of Meath but the men of Meath, who also held a synod that same year at Uisneach, dropped Duleek in favour of Clonard as the centre of the See of East Meath. An entry in the Annals of the Four Masters for 1123 records how the Gailenga attacked the king of Tara at Duleek and burned eighty houses there. According to Bradley (1985), by the twelfth century Duleek was a sizeable nucleated settlement even if one allows for exaggeration by the Annalists.

In 1171, Duleek was attacked and burned once more, this time by the Anglo-Normans under Miles de Cogan who erected a motte and bailey castle that was destroyed four years later. Subsequently, Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath, built a manor there and around 1180, he established a grange (or monastic farm) at Duleek for the Augustinian house of Llanthony Secunda in Gloucestershire. The grange was dedicated to St Michael and was located on the southwest side of the town, between the River Nanny and the main road. It was dissolved by the Crown in 1541 and granted to Sir Gerald Moore (Bradley 1988–89). Evidence for a leper house at Duleek c.1202 is recorded in the Irish Cartularies of Llanthony. This was known as St Mary Magdalene’s and was in the king’s hands by 1403 when it, along with gardens belonging to St Mary’s of Odder, was handed over to Thomas of Scargyll. The Monasticon Hibernicum records that later in 1410, John Traynor received custody of the house of ‘St Magdelyn’s’ in Duleek from Henry V. The exact location of this building is not known however.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

The medieval borough of Duleek was aligned along the present Main Street, which is mentioned in medieval sources as Via Regia (‘King Street’). There is also a reference to a Market Street in a thirteenth-century deed. This was evidently a north–south street, perhaps corresponding with the lower part of Larrix Street. Today, Main Street and Larrix Street delimit the Early Christian enclosure and, therefore, their origin is likely to lie in pre-Norman times. The narrow streets crisscrossing the monastic enclosure are lanes of unknown date. Earthen banks are referred to in an extent of the Augustinian grange of 1381 and these may have comprised the town’s defences (Bradley 1985).

In 1284, Duleek was granted an annual fair and in 1598 was listed as one of the market towns of Meath. The Civil Survey of 1654 records that Duleek contained fifty-one houses as well as ‘St Kenan’s Church’, a priory, a stone house called the “colledge”, a mill and two stone bridges (Bradley 1985). Duleek had, however, declined in importance even in Anglo- Norman times as it was superseded by Drogheda (Bradley 1988–89).

The church attributed to St Kienan is identified by Bradley (1980–81) as St Patrick’s Church, while the church marked ‘abbey’ to the east of it on Ordnance Survey maps is identified as St Kienan’s. Bradley argues that although the standing remains of this church are medieval in date, the presence of a Romanesque corbel, a pre-Norman cross-slab, two high crosses probably of tenth-century date, and the remains of a round tower, indicate that this is the site of the pre-Norman church of St Kienan.

Duleek is important as a good example of an Early Christian settlement that developed into an Anglo-Norman town. The Irish Cartularies of Llanthony Prima and Secunda, as well as surviving topographical evidence of the early monastic enclosure and other medieval references, have made Duleek an ideal example for the study of settlement patterns and medieval colonisation in Ireland (Simms 1979). Simms (ibid.) has demonstrated how the Anglo-Norman expansion of the town radiated out from the pre-Norman enclosure.

Although important remains of the monastic settlement survive, little is known about its layout and extent. The street pattern of the town has remained virtually the same since the Medieval period but nothing is known of the pre- seventeenth-century housing. The course and nature of the town defences are unclear as are the locations of the college referred to in the Civil Survey and two mills mentioned in 1260. The extent of settlement in the vicinity of the bridge and around St. Mary Magdalene’s Hospital also requires further study (Bradley 1985).

3.2 Record of Monuments and Places

There are no recorded monuments listed within the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) or the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) in the study area (Figure 2). The edge of the zone of archaeological potential for Duleek town (ME027-038) is located c. 0.5 km to the east, while the nearest RMP to the site is a church (ME027-038001-), located c. 0.6 km to the east.

The following is a list of the nearest Recorded Monuments located within the surrounding area (Figure 2). Where available, these descriptions are derived from the published Archaeological Inventory of County Meath (Moore 1987) but

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

in some instances have been revised and updated on the National Monuments Service Archaeological Survey Database or are awaiting updating (http://webgis.archaeology.ie/historicenvironment/).

Table 1: Recorded Monuments in the environs of the proposed development site

RMP/SMR No Class/Site Townland Description Type

ME027-038001- Church Commons This church has been identified as St Patrick's (Bradley 1980-1, 40-51), (Duleek Lower which was described as having its own churchyard and to be located N of By.) St. Cianán’s church (ME027-037003-) in the cartulary of St. Michael’s priory (ME027-038011-) of Llanthony Secondo, dated 1381. The building (ext. dims c. 12m plus NE-SW, 6.4m NW-SE; int. dims 11m NE-SW plus; 4.7m NW-SE) survives, except the NE wall (H c. 0.7m) and the SW wall, which is completely absent. Its only feature is a pointed doorway (Wth 0.97m; H 2.15m) of undressed stone in the SE wall. Earlier walls are visible under the NW wall. Apart from a field boundary curving around the church NE-SE-S c. 10-20m distant there is no evidence of an enclosure or graveyard. Built into the inner face of the NW wall is an irregularly shaped limestone slab broken into four pieces (max. dims 1.65m x 0.85m). Centrally placed across the stone is a lightly incised inscription: ÓR DO SCANLA_N. (Anon. 1916, 205; Macalister 1949, 2, 33). ME027- Inscribed Commons Built into the inner face of the NW wall of St. Patrick's church (ME027- 038002- slab (Duleek Lower 038001-) is an irregularly-shaped limestone slab broken into four pieces By.) (max. dims 1.65m x 0.85m). Centrally placed across the stone is a lightly incised inscription: ÓR DO SCANLA_N. (Anon. 1916, 205; Macalister 1949, 2, 33; Bradley 1980-1, 46). ME027-038028- Graveyard Commons St Patrick's church (ME027-038001-) is described as having its own (Duleek Lower churchyard and to be located N of St. Cianán’s church (ME027-037003-) in By.) the cartulary of St. Michael’s priory (ME027-038011-) of Llanthony Secondo, dated 1381 (Bradley 1980-1, 40-51). Apart from a field boundary curving around the church NE-SE-S c. 10-20m distant there is no evidence of an enclosure or graveyard. ME027-038---- Historic Abbeyland Zone of notification for the historic town of Duleek; no description currently town (Duleek By.), available. Balsaran, Commons (Duleek Lower By.) ME027-038018- Souterrain Commons Clay-cut souterrain discovered in 1982. Y-shaped plan with main passage (Duleek Lower (W 0.8m, H 1.4m) aligned NW-SE and turns W at end with small alcove to By.) E at turning (L of main passage and E arm, 9m). ME027-038009- Round Commons In 1147 the cloigteach or round tower at St. Cianáin’s church was struck by Tower (Duleek Lower lightning. It survived into the high middle ages and is visible now as a By.) concave hollow (C 3.5m; H 14.3m) that tapers as it rises on the N side of the tower at the W end of the parish church (ME0277-038003-). At the top a pointed doorway leads to the second floor of the church tower. (Leask 1960, 3, 25; Barrow 1979, 169-70). ME027-038013- Church Commons St. Cianán’s parish church (ME027-038013-) developed on the site of St. (Duleek Lower Cianán’s church (ME027-038003-) and the cartulary of Llanthony Secunda, By.) dated 1381, makes it clear that the saint’s grave, i.e. the remnant of his church, was incorporated into the N part of the chancel (Brooks 1953, 295). The church had a nave and chancel and a S aisle was added to the nave, so there was presumably a N aisle also. Only the S aisle and the tower that was added W of the nave survive. A close analysis of the

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

RMP/SMR No Class/Site Townland Description Type

remains assigns part of the nave walls to the 13th century but the arcade of four pointed arches of undressed voussoirs was inserted, probably in the 14th century when the aisle was built. The S wall of the aisle (int. dims 20.8m E-W; 5.9m N-S) has a destroyed doorway with a destroyed stoup and three-pointed window embrasures, one now blocked, but all the tracery has been removed. The easternmost pier of the arcade has the beginning of a newel stairs, indicating a rood loft over the nave. The W wall of the aisle is reduced to foundations, and the E window, consisting of three elliptical-headed lights was built in 1587 according to an inscription beneath it with the Bellew and Nugent arms. ME027-038004- Cross – Commons The N cross is north of St. Kienan’s Church of Ireland church, now High cross (Duleek Lower converted to a restaurant, and the top of its base (dims 0.5m x 0.45m) is By.) visible. The sandstone ringed cross (dims at base 0.37m x 0.21m; H 1.82m; Wth 0.97m) has edge moulding and a tenon on top for a missing cap. The E face is devoted entirely to panels of interlace with seven bosses at the crux. The W face has the family of Mary, an angel bringing bread to the Virgin, and the parents of Mary on the shaft. The W side of the head has a Crucifixion with two soldiers, and St. Anthony and St. Paul decorate the extremities at S and N respectively. The top has SS Paul and Anthony defeating a devil. The N and S faces are all devoted to interlace, apart from the ends of the arms that have fabulous beasts. (Harbison 1992, 1, 76-8). ME027-038010- Cross - Commons This cross is situated on the Market Green in Duleek. The base has an Wayside (Duleek Lower incised inscription ‘repaired in 1810’. The material is limestone. The cross cross By.) consists of a lower shaft, collar and upper shaft, set in a rectangular base on a modern plinth; rectangular in section, and decorated in relief and false relief. The lower shaft has an inscription, a heraldic shield and figure sculpture.

3.3 Stray Archaeological Finds

Two archaeological stray finds are recorded in the environs of Commons, Duleek and its surrounding townlands within the Topographical Files of the National Museum of Ireland.

Table 2: Stray archaeological finds in the environs of the proposed development site NMI Reg.: Location: Find:

E209:1 Commons Various Excavated Finds

1978:79 Prioryland Potsherd-Medieval, Unglazed

3.4 Previous Excavations

To date, five previous archaeological investigations have taken place in the environs of the proposed development site (Figure 2). These can further demonstrate the overall archaeological potential of the site under study and its surrounding townlands. The details of these investigations derived from the Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland (www.excavations.ie) are listed below.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Table 3: Previous archaeological investigations in the environs of the proposed development site

Site Licence No. RMP Site Type Site Type No.

Larrix Street, Duleek 99E0464 SMR Early Christian Archaeological testing 27:15 monastic site

Abbeyland/Balsaran 07E0927 ME027– Urban Archaeological monitoring Commons/Duleek/Knockisland 038 /Prioryland, Duleek

Duleek 11E0228; C484; N/A No archaeological Archaeological monitoring E4365 significance

Abbeylands, Duleek 12E0268 N/A No archaeological Archaeological monitoring significance

Downestown, Duleek, Co. Meath 19E0411 N/A Fulacht fiadh Archaeological testing

A number of archaeological assessments have been carried out in the environs of the proposed development, mostly in the form of archaeological monitoring and testing. Investigations at a site directly to the north-west produced prehistoric evidence in the form of a fulacht fiadh or burnt mound site (19E0411). Within the town, excavation at Larrix Street, Duleek, confirmed evidence for an Early Christian enclosing ditch (99E0464) and during archaeological works in relation to a wastewater collection system for County Meath a number of features were identified, including cobbling, a large metalled surface, a burnt mound, a cache of struck flints and a road surface (07E0927).

3.5 Protected Structures and National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) sites

There are several structures located in the town of Duleek that are listed within the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) (Figure 2; Table 2). Of the five NIAH sites detailed here, four of them are also Protected Structures, as listed within the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019. The Protected Structure to the proposed development site consist of a pair of single-storey teacher’s houses (RPS MH027-200 and MH027-201, NIAH Reg. No. 14321012) located c. 0.8 km to the east. The following is a description of the Protected Structures located in the environs of the proposed development. The below descriptions derive from the Meath County Development Plan 2013-2019 or National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH).

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Table 4: Protected Structures and National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) sites

RPS No. NIAH Reg. No. Townland Description

MH027-200 & 14321012 Commons Pair of semi-detached four-bay single-storey former teacher's houses, built MH027-201 c.1884. Pitched slate roof with red brick chimneystacks and cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls with tooled stone quoins and date plaque. Segmental-arched window openings with tooled stone sills. Segmental-arched door openings. Flat-roofed extensions to gable walls. MH027-205 14321010 Commons Graveyard with Roman Catholic Church of Ireland and Huguenot interments, established c.1816. Random rubble stone boundary wall with ashlar piers and wrought-iron gates. Pedestrian entrances with wrought- iron gates. Ruin of the twelfth-century abbey on site. MH027-204 14321011 Commons Cast-iron vent pipe, erected c.1870, with a cast-iron fluted base, and a replacement steel shaft with a crown top.

MH027-203 14321014 Abbeyland Detached three-bay three-storey over basement country house, built c.1750, attached to an earlier house to the rear, built c.1700. Pitched slate roof with red brick chimneystack to front block, with a stone balustrade parapet. Ashlar limestone walls to front elevation, with pedimented central breakfront, quoins and a carved cornice. Carved stone tripartite Doric doorcase. Venetian window and square-headed tripartite window to breakfront. - 14321015 Abbeyland Ranges of stone-built outbuildings, built c.1750, set around a cobbled courtyard. Multiple-bay single- and two-storey outbuildings with pitched slate and corrugated-iron roofs. Lime rendered stone walls with square- headed and segmental-arched openings. Carriage arch opening to west range. A well is located on the site.

3.6 Cartographic Review

An assessment of the available cartographic sources included pre-Ordnance Survey mapping. The Down Survey map of County Meath (1654-56) depicts the area of the proposed development as Corballagh, (Figure 3). Taylor and Skinner’s map (1777) was also inspected, lands within which the development is now a part of are depicted as owned by Trotter Esquire. There is however insufficient detail to give further information relating to the study area (Figure 4). Ordnance Survey maps of the area were examined in order to identify any possible archaeological features and to trace the development of the site during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Figure 5, 6). No buildings are depicted within the area of the development site on either the first edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 6-inch map of 1836 (Figure 5) or on the OS 25-inch map of 1907–11 (Figure 6). By the time of the 25-inch map of 1907–11, however, a number of field boundaries have been added to the previously open greenfield site. Both maps also illustrate the townland boundary between Commons and Downestown, which defines the western boundary of the proposed development site.

3.7 Aerial Photography

Aerial photographs dating to between 1995 and 2013 from the Ordnance Survey of Ireland were also reviewed (http://map.geohive.ie/mapviewer.html). These aerials do not reveal any cropmarks that suggest the presence of archaeological features within the study area.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

4. Archaeological Assessment 4.1 Geophysical Survey Results (2019)

A geophysical survey of the site was conducted by Linda Clarke of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd (ACSU) between 19–29 November 2019 under license 19R0260. A full detailed gradiometer survey was undertaken throughout available and suitable areas within the application site using a Bartington GRAD 601-2 dual sensor fluxgate gradiometer system. The survey area consisted of fields under a crop of beet at the time of the survey, that are bordered by lines of trees and bushes on all sides (Figure 7). The survey area was divided into three fields (Fields 1–3) (Figure 8,9). The Navan Road (R150) extends along the southern side of the survey area.

Field 1

Field 1 is the smallest of the surveyed fields and it is roughly rectangular in shape. The survey identified a magnetic disturbance in the south-western corner of the site (Figure 8, 9). A few of weak, or positive discrete anomalies were observed, and may represent archaeological features such as pits. These anomalies may also, however, be the result of geological and geomorphic processes. These features were targeted during the later testing and found to be of no archaeological significance.

Field 2

Field 2 consists of a medium-sized, open field, trapezoidal in shape, with Field 1 to south-west and Field 3 to the north and north-west. Two areas of magnetic disturbances were identified (Figure 8). One in the south-eastern corner of the site, the other in the north-eastern corner. Field 2 produced evidence in the form of a cluster of anomalies, possibly of archaeological nature, in the centre of the field (Figure 9). Identified anomalies might be of an archaeological nature and indicative of human activity (pits/kilns/hearths, etc.). These features were targeted during the later testing and found to be of no archaeological significance.

Field 3

Field 3 was located in the northern and north-western part of the survey area. A large band of magnetic disturbance is present along the southern boundary of the field as a result of the modern fence that separates this field from the GAA pitch (Figures 8–9). Another area of magnetic disturbance is located in the northern boundary. A linear, L-shaped feature was evident within Field 3 and represents the field boundary that had been added sometime between the first edition map of 1835 and the third edition map of 1909 but was later removed. A number of weak anomalies were detected in Field 3. These anomalies can be seen throughout the field and form no particular pattern, they might be features of an archaeological nature like post-holes or pits but are possibly readings of magnetic objects such as ferrous metals in the topsoil, therefore modern in origin. These features were targeted during the later testing and found to be of no archaeological significance.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

4.2. Test Trenching

A programme of archaeological test trenching was undertaken by Linda Clarke of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd (ACSU) under licence 19E0745. This fieldwork took place between 2 and 5 February 2020 using a 14-tonne tracked excavator. A total of 12 test trenches were excavated across the footprint of the proposed development (Figure 10, 11). Each trench measured 1.8 m in width and in total 857 m of linear trenches were excavated. In general, the trenches revealed mid-brown sandy clay topsoil and sod at a depth of c. 0.30–0.57 m, overlying brown sandy clay natural with gravel and stone inclusions. No archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified and no finds were recovered. All anomalies identified in the geophysical survey were non-archaeological in nature.

Table 5: Trench description

Trench Length Depth (m) Description Number (m)

1 71 0.44 North–south trench near western boundary (Plate 1).

2 67 0.53 North–south trench (Plate 2).

3 68 0.57 North–south trench (Plate 3).

4 75 0.36 East–west trench near southern boundary (Plate 4).

5 97 0.30 North–south trench (Plate 5).

6 108 0.56 North–south trench (Plate 6).

7 60 0.35 East–west trench (Plate 7).

8 36 0.32 North-east–south-west trench (Plate 8).

9 54 0.36 North-east–south-west trench (Plate 9).

10 72 0.31 East–west trench (Plate 10).

11 74 0.34 North–south trench (Plate 11).

12 75 0.35 North–south trench (Plate 12).

Table 6: Context description Context L(m) W(m) D(m) Basic Description

C1 - - - Natural subsoil, brown sandy clay natural with gravel and stone inclusions.

C2 - - 0.30–0.57 Topsoil, mid-brown sandy clay.

Finds: None

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

5. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS The area to be developed is located on lands to the north of Navan Road R150 in the townland of Commons, west of the town of Duleek (Figure 1, 2). There are no recorded archaeological monuments, nor Protected Structures within the site or in the immediate environs. (Figure 2).

An Archaeological Desktop Assessment of the site was carried out in November 2019 by the author. This recommended that geophysical survey of the site be undertaken followed by archaeological testing informed by same, targeting anomalies if present. Subsequently Linda Clarke of Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit Ltd. was appointed by the client to obtain a licence for geophysical survey and archaeological test trenching.

All anomalies identified during geophysical survey (19R0260) were targeted during the testing programme (19E0745). No archaeological features or deposits were exposed or identified and no finds were recovered. All anomalies identified in the geophysical survey were non-archaeological in nature.

This assessment concludes that future development of this site would be very unlikely to impact previously unrecorded archaeological features/deposits, as suggested by the results of the recent assessments (geophysical survey and test trenching). There are no recorded archaeological monuments, no protected structures within the site. Consequently, it is recommended that the development be allowed to proceed without further archaeological mitigation.

However, in the unlikely event that an archaeological feature or artefact is found during groundworks, this must be left where it is found, and reported to the Director of the National Museum or the National Monuments Service within 48 hours, as stipulated in the National Monuments Acts 1930 - 2004.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

6. REFERENCES Anon. 1916. Proceedings. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Vol. 46, 189–206.

Barrow, G.L. 1979. The Round Towers of Ireland: A study and gazetteer. Dublin: The Academy Press.

Bradley, J. 1980–81. St. Patrick’s Church, Duleek. Ríocht na Midhe, Vol. VII, 40–51.

Bradley, J. 1985. Urban Archaeology Survey of County Meath. Unpublished report prepared for the Office of Public Works.

Bradley 1988–89. The medieval towns of County Meath. Ríocht na Midhe, Vol. VIII, 30–49.

Brooks, E. St. John. 1953. 14th century monastic estates in Meath: the Llanthony cells of Duleek and Colp. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Vol. 83, 140–49.

Edwards, N. 1990. The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland. London: Routledge.

Harbison, P. 1992 The High Crosses of Ireland: An iconographical and photographic survey, 3 vols. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy.

Leask, H.G. 1960. Irish Churches and Monastic Buildings, Vol. III. Medieval gothic the last phases. Dundalk: Dundalgan Press.

Macalister, R.A.S. 1949. Corpus Inscriptionum Insularum Celticarum, 2 vols. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

Moore, M. 1987 (ed.) Archaeological Inventory of County Meath. The Stationery Office, Dublin.

Simms, A. 1979. Settlement patterns and medieval colonisation in Ireland: the example of Duleek in County Meath. In P. Flatres (ed.), Paysage Ruraux Europeens, 159–177. Rennes: Université de Haute-Bretagne.

Other Sources

Duleek Heritage Trail (https://www.meath.ie/discover/heritage/heritage-trails/duleek-heritage-trail).

Duleek Local Area Plan 2009–2015.

Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland

Meath County Development Plan (2013-2019)

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/).

Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), the Heritage Service, 7 Ely Place, Dublin 2.

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Archaeological Assessment, The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Summary Accounts of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland (www.excavations.ie).

Topographical Files of the National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Cartographic Sources

Down Survey map of County Meath, barony of Duleek (1654-56)

Taylor and Skinner's ' Maps of the roads of Ireland ' - Map 41 Drogheda by Naul and Duleek (1777)

1st Edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 6-inch map (1836)

3rd edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 25-inch map (1907-11),

Ordnance Survey Ortho (aerial photography) series, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2012

Report Status: Final

Issue/Revision: 1

Issue/Revision 22nd July 2020 Date: Prepared by: Magda Lyne

Signed:

Approved by: Donald Murphy

Signed:

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Site

Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0090719 OSi Tile No. 2826, 3026 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 5 km Drawing number: 1971_C1001 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:100,000 @A4 Figure 1: Location of site 19E0441

99E0464

ME027-038004- Cross - High cross 07E0927 Reg. No. 14321011 Reg. No. 14321010 Reg. No. 14321009 ME027-038001- Church Site ME027-038002- Inscribed slab 11E0228 ME027-038028- Graveyard C484, E4365 ME027-038009- Round tower ME027-038013- Church Reg. No. 14321012 ME027-038018- Souterrain

ME027-038010- Cross - Wayside cross 12E0268

Reg. No. 14321015 Reg. No. 14321014

Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0090719 Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland National Monuments Service site © National Inventory of Architectural Heritage site Previous Archaeological Investigations Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Historic town ME027-038---- Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 250 m Drawing number: 1971_C1002 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:6,000 @A4 Figure 2: Location of site, previous archaeological investigations and nearby Sites and Monuments Record sites Approximate site location

© Trinity College Dublin Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop Drawing number: 1971_C1003 N Date: August 2020 Scale: Not to scale Figure 3: Extract from Down Survey map of County Meath, Barony of Duleek (1654-56), showing approximate location of site Approximate site location

© Trinity College Dublin

Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop Drawing number: 1971_C1004 N Date: August 2020 Scale: Not to scale Figure 4: Extract from Taylor and Skinner's ' Maps of the roads of Ireland ' - Map 41 Drogheda by Naul and Duleek (1777), showing approximate location of site Site

OS Sheet No. MH027 Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0090719 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland

Site:Duleek, Co. Meath 200 m Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop Drawing number: 1971_C1005 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:3,000 @A4 Figure 5: Extract from 1st edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 6-inch map (surveyed 1835 - published 1837), showing location of site Site

OS Sheet No. MH027-09 Ordnance Survey Ireland Licence No. EN 0090719 © Ordnance Survey Ireland/Government of Ireland

Site:Duleek, Co. Meath 200 m Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop Drawing number: 1971_C1006 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:3,000 @A4 Figure 6: Extract from 3rd edition Ordnance Survey (OS) 25-inch map (surveyed 1909 - published 1911), showing location of site Site

© Google

Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 200 m Drawing number: 1971_C1007 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:3,000 @A4 Figure 7: Aerial view of site Field 3

Field 2

Site

Field 1

© Lafferty Architects Geophysical survey areas Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 100 m Drawing number: 1971_C1008 N Date: August 2020 Scale: As scalebar Figure 8: Geophysical survey results (grey scale image) Archaeology Buried service ? Archaeology Cultivation ?? Archaeology Natural/underlying geology Increased response Magnetic disturbance Trend Ferrous ? Early field system System issue - water ingress Former boundary Field 3

Field 2

Site

Field 1

© Lafferty Architects Geophysical survey areas Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 100 m Drawing number: 1971_C1009 N Date: August 2020 Scale: As scalebar Figure 9: Geophysical survey interpretation T6 T5 T7 T3 T1 T2

T8 T9 Site

T4 T10 T11 T12

© Google

Excavated test trenches Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 200 m Drawing number: 1971_C1010 N Date: August 2020 Scale: 1:3,000 @A4 Figure 10: Aerial view of site, showing location of excavated test trenches Trench details (average width=1.9 m)

T1 = 71 m T2 = 67 m T3 = 68 m T4 = 75 m T5 = 97 m T6 = 108 m T7 = 60 m T6 T8 = 36 m T9 = 54 m T5 T10 = 72 m T11 = 74 m T3 T12 = 75 m T7 T1 T2 Site

T8

T9

T4

T10 T11 T12

© Lafferty Architects Excavated test trenches Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 100 m Drawing number: 1971_C1011 N Date: August 2020 Scale: As scalebar Figure 11: Details of site development, showing location of excavated test trenches Site

© Lafferty Architects Site:Duleek, Co. Meath Issued for: Archaeological Impact Assessment Desktop 100 m Drawing number: 1971_C1012 N Date: August 2020 Scale: As scalebar Figure 12: Details of proposed development Archaeological Assessment: The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Plate 1:Trench 1, looking south Plate 2: Trench 2, looking north

Plate 3: Trench 3, looking south Plate 4: Trench 4, looking west

Archaeological Assessment: The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Plate 5:Trench 5, looking south Plate 6: Trench 6, looking north

Plate 7: Trench 7, looking east Plate 8: Trench 8, looking north-east

Archaeological Assessment: The Spires, Commons, Duleek, Co. Meath

Plate 9:Trench 9, looking south-west Plate 10: Trench 10, looking west

Plate 11: Trench 11, looking south Plate 12: Trench 12, looking north