Barrow - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the crest of a N-facing slope overlooking a SSW-NNE portion of the River Boyne and its flood-plain which begins to expand here on the E bank. An inhumation in a long cist or slab-lined grave was uncovered at the centre of what was described locally as a circular mound (diam. c. 14m; H c. 1m) that was destroyed during building work in 1976. The supine burial of a female was extended E-W with the head at W and it was recorded by E. P. Kelly of the National Museum of Ireland (excavations.ie 1976:028). No artefacts were recovered, although human bones were retrieved from the spoil. No close date is available but it is likely to be an Iron Age pre-Christian interment (Kelly 1977) and it may well be the location referred to by Wilde (1849, 163) as Knock-a-Raymon (ME025-028----). Archaeological monitoring (99E0011) by C. Mullins of a sewage trench on the road to the S produced no related material (excavatrions.ie 1999:686) and further monitoring (06E0165) by S. Delaney of the laying of a water-pipe in the same area produced had a similar result (excavationis.ie 2006:1606).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 10 July 2007
Revised: 29 March 2023

Kelly, E. P. 1977 A burial at Ferganstown and Ballymacon, Co. Meath. Riocht na Midhe vol. 6, No. 3, 65-7