Burial ground

The National Monuments Service's description

The files of the National Museum of Ireland records that in May 1952 human remains were discovered during road widening operations at Glenidan, near Collinstown, Co. Westmeath (Cahill & Sikora 2011, vol. 2, 520). The remains were discovered at a depth of approximately 0.45m below ground level. At least ten skeletons were discovered all apparently in unprotected pits. According to the finder, road ganger Mr James Dobson, the graves were found in a row aligned on an east/west axis. An iron wood chisel (2004:73) and a U-shaped forged heel tip (2004;74) were discovered in the vicinity of the burials. There was apparently a local tradition of a priory having existed in the adjoining townland of Keenaghan. The human remains were not acquired. According to Dr Raftery's notes the burials were discovered by the roadside leading to the old mill at Carrick. This would place the burials approximately at the current national grid reference (NMI File).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 8 December 2010

References

Cahill, M. and Sikora, M. (eds) 2011 Breaking ground, finding graves - reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927-2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd. in association with the National Museum of Ireland.