14.8 Telltown Impact Assessment Report

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Teltown Impact Assessment

Woodland - Moyhill

400kV Transmission Line

Billy Quinn, Nigel Malcolm

October 2009

This report describes the results of a Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment carried out in relation

to the Teltown Zone of Archaeological Amenity, County Meath. The work was undertakenby the authors for Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services Ltd. (Moore Group) forTOBIN Consulting Engineers Ltd, on behalf of the client EirGrid. This work is completed as partof the Meath Tyrone 400kV Interconnection Development


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1 ....................................................................................................................... 11.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 11.2 Legal Background................................................................................................. 1

1.2.1 Conventions & Legislation............................................................................... 11.2.2 Meath County Development Plan, 2007 -2013 .................................................. 6

1.3 Cultural Heritage Assessment ................................................................................ 61.4 Line Route Selection ............................................................................................. 61.5 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 7

1.5.1 Desktop Study of the Area .............................................................................. 71.5.2 Field Survey................................................................................................... 8

2 ............................................................................................102.1 Description of the Site..........................................................................................102.2 Site Layout/Locational details ...............................................................................10

3 .........................................................................113.1

Landscape Character Assessment..........................................................................11

3.2 Geology..............................................................................................................123.3 Soil Type ............................................................................................................12

4 & .......................................................................134.1 Prehistoric Period.................................................................................................134.2 Iron Age / Early historic period .............................................................................154.3 Later Historic Period.............................................................................................164.4 Early Modern period.............................................................................................18

5 .................................................................225.1 Literary References to the area.............................................................................22

5.1.1 ODonovans Ordnance Survey Letters.............................................................225.1.2 The Boyne and the Blackwater by Sir William Wilde Published 1849...................33


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5.1.3 A Social History of Ireland by P.W. Joyce published 1903..................................385.2 Notes on the literary Sources................................................................................40

5.2.1 After O Donovan ..........................................................................................405.2.2 After Wilde ...................................................................................................405.2.3 After Joyce ...................................................................................................41

5.3 Teltown Today - Interpretation and Comments ......................................................415.3.1 Rath Dh or the black fort - (CHS-018) ...........................................................435.3.2 Rath Airthir (the eastern fort) - (CHS-010) ......................................................435.3.3 The Knockauns (CHS-019) ..........................................................................455.3.4 Donaghpatrick Church and Standing Stone (CHS-007)...................................465.3.5 Ancient Road ................................................................................................48

6 .........................................................................................................................496.1 National Monuments ............................................................................................506.2 Record of Monuments and Places (RMP)................................................................516.3 Record of Protected Structures (RPS) ....................................................................536.4 The National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files ..............................................566.5 Previous Archaeological Fieldwork in the area ........................................................576.6 Cartographic Evidence..........................................................................................61

6.6.1 The Knockauns (CHS 019)........................................................................616.6.2 Donaghpatrick (CHS-007) ...........................................................................636.6.3 Rath Dh (CHS-018)...................................................................................656.6.4 Unrecorded cultural heritage sites ..................................................................676.6.5 ODonovans Maps .........................................................................................72

6.7 Aerial Photographs ..............................................................................................757 .........................................................................................................76

7.1 Direct Impacts.....................................................................................................777.2 Indirect and Visual Impacts ..................................................................................78

8 ..............................................................................................................................85


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8.1 Direct Impacts.....................................................................................................858.1.1 Mitigation Strategies during Construction ........................................................858.1.2 Mitigation Strategies during Operational and Dismantling Work.........................87

8.2 Indirect Effects....................................................................................................879 ..........................................................................................................................8810 ................................................................................................89 1: ............................................................................................................................90 2: ............................................................................................................91


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Table of Illustrations

Illustration 1 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing site of Knockauns. RMP 017:049......................62Illustration 2 Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Knockauns, note elliptical feature to south of

field boundary.........................................................................................................................................63Illustration 3 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Donaghpatrick Church, Rath Airthir, Bridge and

Mill ...................................................................................................... ....................................................64Illustration 4 Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Donaghpatrick and Environs........................65Illustration 5 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Rath Dh ...........................................................66Illustration 6 Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Rath Dh......................................................66Illustration 7 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Corn Mill, Ford & Weir.......................................67Illustration 8 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing Old Mill south west of Donaghpatrick ...............68Illustration 9 Second Edition Ordnance Map showing a circular copse of trees ...........................................69Illustration 10 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing the absence of the circular copse of trees that

appears on the later map ......................................................................................................... ..............69Illustration 11 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing St. Catherine's Church....................................70 Illustration 12 Second Edition Ordnance Survey Map showing St. Catherine's Church...............................71Illustration 13 ODonovans Map of the Teltown 1836, showing the significant sites associated with the

area ...................................................................................................... ..................................................72Illustration 14 Annotated Map of Teltown Showing Location of Monuments ................................................73

List of Tables

Table 1 Locational Details..............................................................................................................................10Table 2 Landscape Character Summary Matrix from the Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013 ....11Table 3 Summary of Cultural Heritage Sites (CHS)......................................................................................49Table 4 Distance of CHS Sites from Towers and the Line Route .................................................................50Table 5 Assessment of Direct Impacts ............................................................................................ ..............78Table 6 Assessment of Visual Impacts..........................................................................................................81Table 7 Mitigation Measures..........................................................................................................................87

List of Plates

Plate 1 Aerial Image Rath Dh.......................................................................................................................43Plate 2 Aerial Image Rath Aritir and Donaghpatrick Church .........................................................................44Plate 3 Aerial Image the Knockauns..............................................................................................................46Plate 4 Aerial Image the Ancient Roadway ...................................................................................................48


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NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY

This report describes the results of a Cultural Heritage assessment carried out in relation to

the Teltown Zone of Archaeological Amenity, County Meath in 2009. The work was

undertaken by the authors for Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services Ltd.(Moore Group) for TOBIN Consulting Engineers, on behalf of the client EirGrid.

The proposed development entails the construction of a 400kV overhead transmission line

in the area of Teltown as part of the proposed North South Interconnector from County

Meath to County Tyrone.

Following constraints mapping and line route selection phases a preferred line route was

chosen. This corridor traverses the landscape between Navan and Kells passing through a

region designated by the Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government

(DoEHLG) as the Teltown Zone of Archaeological Amenity. This zone is situated to thenorth west of the bend in the Boyne River west of Donaghpatrick village and forms the

ancient area of Tailtiu, identified by ODonovan as the focus of a complex of prehistoric and

early historic field monuments forming one of the countrys most important ritual

landscapes.

The work was commissioned in order to:

Determine the archaeological potential of the area;

Determine how the archaeological resource would be affected both directly andindirectly by the proposed developments; and

Suggests mitigation measures for the same.

The report finds that there will be no direct impact upon known cultural heritage sites.

There is the potential that previously unrecorded archaeology could be impacted upon and

mitigation measures are recommended to ensure that any of these impacts are kept to a

minimum. These measures include pre construction geophysical investigation, further

assessment phase upon completion of detailed construction drawings, archaeological

testing and monitoring of groundworks, specific construction methodology to reduce

impacts and ongoing liaison with the DoEHLG.

The report also found that the proposed development would have a negative impact upon

selected views from within and surrounding the zone. These views were chosen as they


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were associated with known cultural heritage sites or were areas, which would experience

the greatest impact from the proposed development.

In summary, from an examination of the photomontages the views from the most prominent

sites including Rath Dh (CHS-018), the Knockauns (CHS-019) and Donaghpatrick Church(CHS-007) will be negatively impacted by the proposed tower towers and wire-scape, these

impacts were found to range from imperceptible to slight. The view from Donaghpatrick

Bridge (CHS-005) would experience a slight impact. At Gibstown Gate (CHS-017), an

isolated demesne feature situated at Crasulthan cross the view eastwards, already

compromised by other physical infrastructure (transmission lines, telecoms wires, a radio

tower and a GAA clubhouse with floodlights) would experience a moderate cumulative

impact. Views to the west from the vicinity of the henge feature (CHS-0200) which has no

above ground expression, would also be moderately impacted. Other roadside views, albeit

with limited pedestrian access and viewer incidence would also be moderately impacted.These include views from the N3, the R163 and from the Oristown / Donaghpatrick road.

These views are further restricted by high intermittent hedgerows and are normally

experienced in transit and peripherally. Notably from the roadside there is very little inter-

visibility between the more significant archaeological sites.


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1 SCOPE OF WORKS

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Moore Group was commissioned to carry out a cultural heritage impact assessment on

behalf of Tobin Consulting Engineers for the client EirGrid for a proposed 400kV overheadtransmission line at Teltown, County Meath (Appendix 14.8, Annex 1: Figure 1 details the

site location). Located on the North side of the N3, approximately halfway between Navan

& Kells, is an area which forms a Zone of Archaeological Amenity relating to Teltown.

Delineated by the National Monuments Section of the DoEHLG the zone circumscribes an

area of high archaeological potential. A map of the zone of archaeological amenity is held

by the National Monuments Section of the DoEHLG and does not appear in the existing

Meath County Development Plan, 2007-2013. It comprises a region defined by the River

Blackwater to the south and the third class road between Oristown and Bloomsbury

Crossroads to the west, the R163 Kells to Slane Road to the north and a third class roadlinking Crassulthan Crossroads to a point south of Donaghpatrick Bridge to the east. This

area has been identified in an Archaeology Ireland heritage Guide No. 3 (1998) as the core

of the historic region of Tailti a ritual landscape with impressive field monuments and a

unique wealth of folklore and literary references. This report assesses both the direct and

indirect impacts of the proposed development on the area and suggests mitigation

measures.

1.2 LEGAL BACKGROUND

1.2.1 CONVENTIONS & LEGISLATION

Ireland has ratified several European and international conventions in relation to the

protection of its cultural heritage. Outlined below are summaries of relevant conventions

and legislation.

UNESCO World Heritage Convention, 1972

In an international context Ireland is a ratified member of The World Heritage Convention,

adopted by UNESCO in 1972. The Convention provides for the identification, conservation

and preservation of cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value for inclusion ina world heritage list. The World Heritage status is a non-statutory designation and no

additional statutory controls result from this designation. However the impact upon a World

Heritage Site of the proposed development will be a key material consideration in

determining planning applications.


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European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Valletta

Convention), 1997

In 1997 the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe European Convention on the

Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (the 'Valletta Convention'). Obligations under theConvention include: provision for statutory protection measures, including the maintenance

of an inventory of the archaeological heritage and the designation of protected monuments

and areas; the authorisation and supervision of excavations and other archaeological

activities; providing for the conservation and maintenance of the archaeological heritage

(preferably in situ) and providing appropriate storage places for remains removed from their

original locations; providing for consultation between archaeologists and planners in

relation to the drawing up of development plans and development schemes so as to ensure

that full consideration is given to archaeological requirements; making or updating surveys,

inventories and maps of archaeological sites and taking practical measures to ensure thedrafting, following archaeological operations, of a publishable scientific record before the

publication of comprehensive studies; preventing the illicit circulation of elements of the

archaeological heritage, including co-operation with other states party to the convention.

European Convention on the Protection of the Architectural Heritage (Granada

Convention), 1997

Also in 1997 the Republic of Ireland ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the

Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe (the 'Granada Convention'). Obligations

under this convention include: maintenance of inventories of architectural heritage;provision of statutory measures to protect the architectural heritage; the adoption of

integrated conservation policies, which include the protection of the architectural heritage

as an essential town and country planning objective; developing public awareness of the

value of conserving architectural heritage; promotion of training in the various occupations

and craft trades involved in architectural heritage conservation.

The European Landscape Convention 2000

In 2002 Ireland ratified The European Landscape Convention - also known as the Florence

Convention, which promotes the protection, management and planning of European

landscapes and organises European co-operation on landscape issues. It is the first

international treaty to be exclusively concerned with all dimensions of European landscape.

The Convention came into force on 1 March 2004 and is part of the Council of Europe's

work on natural and cultural heritage, spatial planning and the environment. It applies to the


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entire territory of the ratified Parties and relates to natural, urban and suburban areas,

whether on land, water or sea. It therefore concerns not just remarkable landscapes but

also ordinary everyday landscapes. The European Landscape Convention introduces the

concept of "landscape quality objectives" into the protection, management and planning of

geographical areas

EIA Directive 85/337/EEC as amended

In order to assist planning and other consent authorities in deciding if significant effects on

the environment are likely to arise in the case of development below the national

mandatory EIA thresholds, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local

Government published a Guidance document in August 2003.

Planning and Development Act 2006-2009

The Planning and Development Act ensures the protection of the archaeological heritage

resource by requiring that all applications under this Act are accompanied by an EIS

including information on material assets, including the architectural and archaeological

heritage, and the cultural heritage.

The National Monuments Act 1930 to 2004

Irish legislation for the protection of archaeological heritage is based on the National

Monuments Acts 1930 and amendments of 1954, 1987, 1994 and 2004. These acts are the

principal statutes governing the care of monuments in the Irish Republic. They provide forthe protection of national monuments through the use of preservation orders. The Minister

for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government has a specific role in relation to the

protection of the archaeological heritage through powers provided by these acts and the

National Cultural Institutions Act 1997. The overall state archaeological service is provided

by the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government (DoEHLG) and

delivered through the Planning and Heritage Section of the Department of the Environment,

Heritage and Local Government and the National Museum of Ireland (Irish Antiquities

Division) on behalf of the Minister.

Monuments are protected under the National Monuments Acts in a number of ways:

National Monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local

authority; A National Monument is a monument under preservation by the State, as a

result of its being considered to be of national importance. The legal basis for this


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status is the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2004. The original national

monuments act was enacted in 1930 updating an original itinerary of monuments

comprised of those to which the Ancient Monuments Protection Act, 1882 applied.

The most recent amendment in 2004 includes provisions for the partial or complete

destruction of National Monuments by the government. Only a small section of ourmonuments are in state ownership. The remainder are protected by the state under

the National Monuments Acts but the care and preservation of these features

depends largely on the interests and respect of individuals.

National Monuments, which are subject to a preservation order; where it appears to

the minister that a monument, considered to be a national monument, is in danger or

is actually being destroyed or falling into decay the minister may by preservation

order or temporary preservation order, undertake the preservation of the monument.

A temporary preservation order will remain in force for six months and then expire.

Historic monuments or archaeological areas recorded in the Register Of Historic

Monuments; a list of all historic monuments known to the Minister. Owners or

occupiers must not, other than with consent, alter, deface, demolish or in any

manner interfere with a historic monument entered in the register (National

Monuments (Amendment) Act, 1987)

Monuments recorded in the Record Of Monuments And Places. All known sites

and monuments are identified and listed for protection in the Record of Monuments

and Places, a statutory inventory of sites protected under the National Monuments

(Amendment) Act, 1994. Monuments entered into it are referred to as Recorded

Monuments. Owners or occupiers of Recorded Monuments are required to give two

months notice to the Minister and obtain consent before carrying out any works in

relation to the monument. The RMP consists of a set of 6" maps of the different

Counties with an accompanying index which shows all the sites, monuments and

zones of archaeological potential, recorded to date and protected in the county. The

inventory concentrates on pre 1700 AD sites

When the owner or occupier of a property, or any other person proposes to carry out, or to

cause, or to permit the carrying out of any work at or in relation to a Recorded Monument

they are required to give notice in writing to the Minister 2 months before commencing that

work. This is to allow the National Monuments Service time consider the proposed works

and how best to proceed to further the protection of the monument.


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For national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister or a local

authority or which are subject to a preservation order, the prior written consent of the

Minister is required for any works at or in proximity to the monument.

The Architectural Heritage & Historic Properties Act, 1999

The Architectural Heritage (National Inventory) & Historic Properties (Miscellaneous

Provisions) Act, was promulgated in 1999 as a direct response to the Granada Convention.

The act provides for the establishment of a national inventory of architectural heritage and

for related matters and to provide for the obligations of sanitary authorities in respect of

registered historic monuments. Although this act provides no direct protection for

architectural sites it is used by local authorities to inform the compilation of their Record of

Protected Structures, which, under the Planning and Development Act 2000, does afford

legal protection.

The Planning and Development Act 2000

Under arrangements which came into operation on 1 January 2000 (The Planning and

Development Act 2000), the system of listing buildings was replaced with strengthened

procedures for the preservation of protected structures and structures in architectural

conservation areas.

A protected structure is a structure that a local authority considers to be of special interest

from an architectural, historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, scientific, social or

technical point of view. Details of protected structures are entered by the authority in its

Record of Protected Structures (RPS), which is part of the Development Plan. Each owner

and occupier of a protected structure is legally obliged to ensure that the structure is

preserved.

The legislation obligates Planning authorities to preserve the character of places and

townscapes which are of special architectural, historic, archaeological, artistic, cultural,

scientific, social or technical interest or that contribute to the appreciation of protected

structures, by designating them architectural conservation areas (ACAs) in their

development plan.

The Act also provides comprehensive protection for landscapes including views, prospects

and the amenities of places and features of natural beauty or interest under a local

authoritiesdevelopment plan. A development plan is required to include objectives for the

preservation of the character of the landscape including the preservation of views and


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prospects. A planning authority may also designate, for the purposes of preservation,

landscape conservation areas.

1.2.2 MEATH COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN, 2007 -2013

A County Development Plan plays a pivotal role in both facilitating and regulatingdevelopment within a county, setting out general policies and development standards and

the processes whereby individual applications are assessed against these policies. The

County Development Plan also contains lists of Cultural Heritage Sites including national

monuments, recorded monuments, protected structures and protected views as well as the

landscape character assessment of the county.

This assessment has been carried out with regard to the Meath County Development Plan

2007-2013 and in particular its cultural heritage and landscape policies and other relevant

sources contained within.

1.3 CULTURAL HERITAGE ASSESSMENT

Assessment has been described as the overall process of assessing the impact of a

development (DAHGI, 1999). In light of the legislative protection afforded to the cultural

heritage of Ireland this report assesses the archaeological, architectural, cultural and

historical importance of an area around Teltown in relation to the proposed development of

an overhead transmission line.

The main purpose of this desktop study is to assess the impact on the receiving

environment and to propose ameliorative measures to safeguard any monuments, sites,

features or finds of antiquity. The study was carried out on behalf of EirGrid at the request

of Catherine Desmond, Archaeologist DOEHLG.

1.4 LINE ROUTE SELECTION

Prior to this study two phases of constraints mapping and line route selection were

undertaken. The first study proposed a 400kV line from Woodland in County Meath to

Kingscourt in County Cavan via a line route through County Meath. Following discussions

with An Bord Pleanala further study was undertaken to the east to assess whether there

was a more appropriate eastern line route option available.

The following is taken from the Non Technical Summary of the second report:

To assess the potential impact of the proposed development on the Cultural Heritage of

the region the following data sources were consulted:


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National Monuments A database available through the www.heritagedata.ie

website;

Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) databases obtained from the national

monuments section of the Department of Environment Heritage & Local Government;

Record of Protected Structures (RPS) datasets obtained from Meath & CavanLocal Authorities;

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) Datasets obtained from the

architectural section of the DoEHLG; and

County Development Plans were also consulted with regard to further heritage

designations.

The study area for the western line route options (1, 2, 3a and 3b) covers a wide area and

through careful line route selection it has been possible to keep a significant distance

between the most sensitive archaeological landscapes of Hill of Tara and Loughcrew and

the proposed transmission line development. However there is a wealth of cultural heritage

sites within the landscape and although it has been possible to avoid physically impacting

upon any known sites, there is the potential that sites will be visually impacted upon.

From the earliest stages the aim of the methodology applied was to reduce the potential for

visual impact of the transmission line upon cultural heritage sites. During the constraints

mapping and line route selection phases of the assessment sites with greater legislative

protection or a higher potential for visual impact were highlighted in the GIS mapping

exercise to inform the process. Wind screen surveys consisting of drive bys and accessingsites where possible, were completed to verify the mapping and suggest amended tower

positions to reduce the visual impact.

When all environmental factors were taken into consideration the emerging preferred line

route option from the western line route options was line route 3b.

1.5 METHODOLOGY

The methodology employed to complete this EIA is twofold, comprising a desktop study of

the area and field survey.

1.5.1 DESKTOP STUDY OF THE AREA

To assess the potential impact of the proposed development the following were consulted:

World Heritage Sites in Ireland


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National Monuments Register

Monuments Subject to Preservation Orders

Record of Monuments and Places (RMP)

Archaeological inventories held by the DoEHLG

Graveyards in the ownership of Meath County Council

Record of Protected Structures (RPS)

National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH)

Survey of Historic Gardens & Designed Landscapes

County Development Plan

Excavations Bulletin

Topographical files of the National Museum of Ireland

Cartographic Sources

Toponym analysis

Aerial photographs

Published archaeological inventories

Documentary Sources: A number of literary references were consulted.

1.5.2 FIELD SURVEY

Access to land where the development is proposed is an issue, with some local

communities who have concerns with regard to the project. Many gates throughout

County Meath have signage specifically stating that EirGrid are not allowed entry to theland. In view of this the field survey has been conducted in the following manner:

Cultural Heritage Sites:Where possible cultural heritage sites identified in the desktop

study will be visited. Where access is not possible then the sites will be surveyed from the

nearest publicly accessible land or roads.


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Tower Location: High definition aerial photographs and lidar data were used to

determine locations and where possible the proposed site of each tower was visited and

inspected to determine if there are previously unrecorded archaeological features or areas

of archaeological potential in the area. Where access was not possible the sites were

surveyed from the nearest publicly accessible land or roads.

Visual Impact: Sites where there is a potential for visual impact were visited where

access was possible to assess the impact magnitude. Where access was not possible

the sites were surveyed from the nearest publicly accessible land or roads.


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2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE

The subject area is located at Teltown, approximately 5km north west of Navan town,

County Meath. It is accessed from the N3 Navan Kells road or a third class road thatfollows the River Blackwater from Abbeylands, Navan to Oristown (Appendix 14.8, Annex

1: Figures 1 -6)

2.2 SITE LAYOUT/LOCATIONAL DETAILS

Table 1 Locational Details

County Meath

Parish Donaghpatrick

Townlands Teltown & Gibstown - Zone of

Archaeological Amenity and

surrounding townlands including

Oristown, Donaghpatrick,

Hurdlestown, Tankardstown & Martry

OS Sheet number ME 017

NGR 281930/272690

Height 45-60m


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3 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

3.1 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT

The Meath County Council Development Plan 2007 -2013 contains the Meath Landscape

Character Assessment, which was completed adhering broadly to the draft landscape

assessment guidelines published by the DoEHLG in 2000. As part of this assessment the

different landscape character areas were assessed for their sensitivity and capacity for

different types of development. The following summarises the relevant findings from the

assessment with regard to the landscape character area of Teltown.

Table 2 Landscape Character Summary Matrix from the Meath County Development Plan 2007-2013

No. Area

Landscape

Value

Landscape

sensitivity

Landscape

importance

20 Blackwater Valley Very High High Regional

Characteristics of Blackwater Valley

River Corridors and Estuaries, comprising Nanny Valley, and Blackwater Valley

(Landscape Character Areas 8 and 20). The River Blackwater runs between Kells and

Navan where it joins with the Boyne. The entire river has a European designation as an

cSAC and a number of smaller parts designated as pNHAs. The rivers Nanny and Delvin

have largely undeveloped corridors and as such have high ecological value (with

associated wetlands, sand bars, mudflats and coastal areas). Both estuaries (Boyne and

Nanny) are densely wooded and relatively undisturbed, making them important.

Sensitivities of Blackwater Valley

These areas are considered to of very high value and are regionally important. They are

highly sensitive to development. The Nanny Valley in particular would have a low capacity

to absorb all types of development. The Blackwater valley can however absorb some

development, in particular visitor facilities, conversion of existing buildings, overhead andunderground cables, wind farms, roads and railways.


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3.2 GEOLOGY

The underlying bedrock is comprised of greywacke with shaley limestone, calp limestone

and isolated areas of granite.

3.3 SOIL TYPE

As with most of the eastern seaboard of Ireland, County Meath and Cavan were subjected

to ice movements from both east and west. Midlandian ice sheets occupied much of the

county and as a result of the continuous interchange of inland and sea glaciers during this

period, the drift geology of the region is complicated. In it simplest form it is characterised

by patterns of glacial till and fluvioglacial conglomerate and sedimental deposits .The

principal soil along the survey corridor is made up of grey brown podzolics (75%) with

associated soils of gleys (20%) and brown earths (5%). East of Kells, the principal soil

comprises of acid brown earths 75%) with associated soils of gleys (15%) and brown

podzolics (10%). The quality of agricultural land in County Meath, brown earths and grey-

brown podzolics ideal for both tillage and pasture, has attracted settlement throughout

prehistoric and historic times.


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4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL & HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

4.1 PREHISTORIC PERIOD

Mesolithic Period

In the absence of any evidence of Palaeolithic communities in Ireland our archaeological

record begins in the Mesolithic period (75004500 BC) when hunter-gatherers navigated

the coast and waterways of the country foraging for food and living in temporary camps.

Mesolithic Sites were usually set on elevated ground overlooking rivers. These rivers

played an important part in the survival of the hunter-gathering people by providing a

source of food with salmon and eels available for many months of the year. Water fowl,

hares and wild pigs would have also supplemented the diet. Flint tools are often the best

evidence of these early sites. These microliths (from Latin small stone) are extraordinary

in their sophistication and range of use and include scalene triangles, rods, needlepoints,scrapers and micro-awls.

The earliest evidence of mesolithic activity in Ireland is to be found in 'The Curran' County

Antrim, Ireland's only source of flint, Mount Sandel in County Derry and Lough Boora in

County Offaly. In Meath primitive stone tools were recovered, including chert lithics in the

form of scrapers and axes at Moynagh Lough (OSullivan 1998, 5253) on the site of a

multi-period Crannog and at Corrallan (Warren & Stanley 2009) between Lough Kinale and

Lough Derravarragh.

In the Later Mesolithic period larger tools were used as spear heads, being attached to

wooden shafts. Many of these were located in Northern Ireland's Bann Valley and are thus

referred to as Bann Flakes. At Ferriter's Cove, on the Dingle Peninsula, in Co. Kerry late

Mesolithic people repeatedly visited the sheltered bay leaving behind shell middens,

hearths, stakeholes, and pits.

Neolithic Period

The practice of farming spread from the Middle East, through eastern and southern Europe

to reach Ireland via Britain around 4000BC. Ireland's Mesolithic hunters were over a perioddisplaced or assimilated by the new Neolithic settlers. This transition fundamentally

changed the local economy from one based on hunting and foraging to one of cereal

cultivation and livestock rearing. The arrival of the first farmers resulted in land clearance

by burning or chopping down trees with stone axes. There were no indigenous cereal crops

but the settlers brought with them wheat and barley as well as domesticated sheep, goats


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and cattle. Tending of crops and animals required a more sedentary lifestyle and larger

permanent settlements were built. Farming as a practice required new skills and more

importantly new tools. This demand resulted in the development of specific crafts. Polished

stone axes, Ards (ploughs) flint tools for harvesting crops, and stone saddle querns for

grinding the grain required the exploitation of specific stone sources. Porcellanite wasquarried at Tievebulliagh Mountain near Cushendall and at Brockley on Rathlin Island, Co.

Antrim. Flint remained an important stone for the production of tools and weapons, objects

such as javelin heads, mace heads, polished axes and fine leaf and lozengeshaped

arrowheads were used for both hunting and warfare. During this period the first long

distance trade networks were established. Stone axes from Britain, a flint axe from

Scandinavia, pitchstone from Scotland, and jadeite axes from the Alpine area of northern

Europe have all been found throughout the country.

Pottery also makes its first appearance in the archaeological record. The pots werehandmade, coilbuilt, and fired in bonfires or pits. The earliest pots were mainly

undecorated roundbottomed bowls, although decoration became more common in the

later part of the period. Towards the end of the Neolithic a great diversity in pottery styles

existed and flatbased pottery was introduced.

Other significant changes included the development of a ritual landscape dotted by large

megalithic (from the Greek mega large and lith stone) monuments built as communal

tombs or for ceremonial purposes. These monuments indicate status, a knowledge of

engineering, and the ability to organize resources, including labour. Within Meath the

megalithic tombs of Br na Boinne, Fourknocks, Loughcrew and elsewhere are the most

visible and recognisable monuments of the period, a number of settlement sites are known

from the county: for example, Newtown (Halpin & Gowen 1992) and Creewood (Moore

1987, 49).

The Bronze Age

As stone tools were replaced by the use of copper, later combined with tin to make bronze,

the structure of society also changed. Henges were constructed in Ireland in a broad period

beginning around 2000BC, and were sometimes constructed around or beside previousNeolithic megaliths. Thirteen examples have been identified in Co. Meath in the vicinity of

passage tombs, by far the highest concentration is in the Boyne Valley of county Meath,

already home to the great passage tombs of Knowth and Newgrange. The monuments take

the form of flat-topped banks encompassing circular or oval spaces with entrances facing

either east or west and can measure 100 to 200 metres (330 to 660 feet) across. They are


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frequently located on slopes or, in a small number of cases, on the bottoms of river valleys;

their builders contrived to give them a prominent siting within their immediate settings.

Within the henges archaeologists have found the systematically cremated remains of

animals as well as evidence of wooden and stone posts. This indicates that henges were

centres for a religious cult, which had its heyday in the first half of the Bronze Age. Whilesome communal megalithic monuments, particularly wedge tombs continued to be used,

the Bronze Age is characterised by a movement towards single burial and the production of

prestige items and weapons, suggesting that society was increasingly stratified and warlike.

In late Bronze Age Ireland the use of the metal reached a high point with the production of

high quality decorated weapons, ornament and instruments, often discovered from hoards

or ritual deposits. It is likely that the developed communities of the Boyne Valley were

among the first to incorporate metal technology and their settlements have been excavated

at a number of locations across Meath, including Monknewtown and Knowth (Waddell

1998, 117), and more recently at a number of sites along the line route of the M1 DroghedaBypass. The Bronze Age period is best known perhaps for the delicate gold artefacts and

elaborate pottery styles, many of which have been identified in Meath. While we have little

evidence for Bronze Age settlement in the Boyne Valley after 1800 BC, settlement

flourished in the east of the county where recent excavations have uncovered numerous

sites, both enclosed and unenclosed from the period 1500 BC onwards.

4.2 IRON AGE / EARLY HISTORIC PERIOD

The end of the Irish Bronze Age merges into the Early Iron Age almost imperceptibly. Not

much is known about this period in time and it has been dubbed 'The Irish Dark Age'. Itwould seem from the evidence so far uncovered that iron use was gradually introduced into

Ireland however bronze implements were still very much in use for everyday objects and for

ornamentation. Many of the finds dating to the Iron Age include objects decorated in the

'La Tne' style such as the wonderful torc found at Broighter, Co. Derry. Many finds were

made in lakes and around the sites of cranngs (artificial islands). Many horse trappings

were discovered dating to this period indicating the importance of horses to Iron Age Man.

Many of the 'Historical Romances' transcribed by medieval monks refer to this period in

time, the Ulster Cycle and stories of Emain Macha (Navan Fort) are noted in particular. Life

in Iron Age in Ireland seems to have been much as it was in earlier times mixed farmersliving in or around small defended settlements known as ringforts or stone cashels.


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Early Christian Ireland

Early Christian Ireland conventionally dates from the 400s when missionaries such as

Palladius and Patrick established the first churches in the country eventually resulting in the

conversion of the indigenous population and the creation of a literate society. In Meath thisperiod coincides with legendary kings such as Niall of the Nine Hostages and the Three

Collas credited with creating the political landscape. Patrick is associated with the Hill of

Slane and Tara Palladius and his colleagues founded churches close to the royal centres of

the period: Secundus is remembered by Dunshaughlin, County Meath, close to the Hill of

Tara which is associated with the High King of Ireland.

By the time the Vikings arrived in Ireland, the land was nominally ruled over by the rd R,

but was in truth a warring collection of petty kingdoms which gave lip service only to the

ceremonial overlordship of the Ui-Naill. The North of Ireland was ruled by the Ui-Naill

family. Meath was ruled by the Southern Ui-Naill, while Ulster was ruled by Njall-Caille of

the northern Ui-Naill. The petty kings of Ireland, busy warring among themselves, were

ultimately the cause of the Vikings' first successes in Ireland. Over the next two centuries

Meaths fortunes fluctuated back and forth as the Noresemen tried to establish a foothold.

By the 850's, the Vikings had become integrated into the life of Ireland settling the shores,

and taking Irish wives. Many also converted to Christianity. The Norse rule of Ireland was

certainly not an unenlightened period of barbarism. They were,above all else, traders and

merchants. It has been commented on that the graves of wealthy Vikings often contained a

trader's scales as well as the more martial accoutrements.

The end of the Viking rule in Ireland came with the reign of Brian Bor In 980 The Norse

suffered a heavy defeat at Tara under the leadership of Brian Bor who ascended to rd R

of Ireland, forcing the petty kings to acknowledge his rule. Boru's descendants however

failed to maintain a unified throne, and regional squabbling over territory led indirectly to an

invasion by the Anglo-Normans under Strongbow in 1169.

4.3 LATER HISTORIC PERIOD

Interestingly, the location of the most important sites circa the tenthtwelfth centuries

developed as important manorial centres following the AngloNorman conquest. In 1172,Meath was given to Hugh de Lacy, who immediately began organising its colonisation and

settlement (Graham 1974, 40), involving the sub-infeudation of the county into areas

roughly corresponding to modern barony divisions.


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These baronies were divided up into smaller units known as manors. There was an

overwhelming growth in settlements in this period; many of these remain at the heart of

modern towns and villages, for example, Navan, Ratoath, Athboy, Trim, Dunboyne, and

Dunshaughlin (Bradley 1988, 3446). The primary form of settlement in medieval Meath

was based on the manorial centre. Generally, this comprised a fortification (usually a motteor later a tower house), a manorial church and a number of dwellings, which could be

nucleated or scattered around the manor. An example of one of the most important Norman

military castles in the general area is Trim castle, built on the site of a Motte. A total of

ninety-eight villages from this period have been identified in Meath (Graham 1974, 48), with

many abandoned from the seventeenth century onwards.

Ecclesiastical centres were also prolific during medieval times. Lewis lists the following

major religious structures in his description of county Meath, The monasteries of which no

ruins remain are those of Ardbraccan, Ardceath, Ardmulchan, Ardsallagh, Athboy,Ballybogan, Beaumore near Colpe, Beaubeg, Calliagh, Cloonmanan, Disert-tola,

Donaghmore, Donneycarney near Colpe, Donoughpatrick, a priory of the Virgin Mary and

the Magdalen Hospital at Duleek ; abbeys at Dunshaughlin, and Indenen near Slane ; a

house of Regular Canons, an hospital of St. John the Baptist, and a chantry, all at Kells ; a

house of Regular Canons and a nunnery at Kil leen; an abbey at Navan, on the site of which

the cavalry barrack is now built ; priories at Odder and Rosse, south of Taragh ; an abbey

of Regular Canons and a chantry at Skreen ; a monastery of Grey Friars, on the site of

which the sessions-house at Trim stands ; a nunnery, a Greek church, and a chantry at

Trim ; Dominican friaries at Kilberry, Lismullen, and Dunshaughlin ; besides several othersnow existing only in name. Columbkill's house, a stone-roofed cell, said to by one of the

oldest stone-built houses in Ireland, is still traceable at Kells in which town there are also

several stone crosses, one in particular of beautiful workmanship. In the cemetery at

Castlekieran, in which are the ruins of a small church, is also a very fine stone cross richly

sculptured, (Lewis Topographical Dictionary).

After the Arrival of the English, Henry II. granted to Hugh de Lacy the whole of the ancient

kingdom of Meath, to hold by the service of 50 knights. De Lacy shortly afterwards divided

the greater portion of this princely grant among his principal followers, giving to Gilbert

Nangle the territory of Morgallion; to Jocelyn, son of Gilbert, Navan, Ardbraccan, and their

dependencies to Adam Pheipo, the district and manor of Skreen ; to Robert Misset, the

lands of Lune ; and to Gilbert Fitz-Thomas, Kells. From these grants, and from their first

possessors having been created barons by the lord of the palatinate, who exercised the

rights of sovereignty, the divisions were called baronies, which term ultimately became the


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general name for the great divisions of counties. The new occupants were not permitted to

enjoy undisturbed the possessions thus acquired. Roderic O'Conor, King of Ireland, at the

head of a large army, suddenly entered Meath, and laid siege to Trim, which was saved by

the rapid approach of Raymond le Gros, then celebrating his marriage with Strongbow's

sister in Wexford. The county also suffered about the same time from the incursions of theIrish of Ulster, and from an invasion of Melaghlin, King of Meath, who took and demolished

Slane Castle, after its governor, Richard Fleming, had been killed in its defence. On the

death of Hugh de Lacy, who was assassinated at Dermagh or Durrow, in the Kings county

(Offaly), by one of his own dependants, Meath descended to his son Walter.

King John spent some time in this county during his abode in Ireland, and tradition says

that he held a parliament at Trim, which is very doubtful, as there are no traces of its

proceedings. A tomb in which one of this king's daughters is said to have been interred

was shown in the abbey of Newtown, near Trim. About the year 1220, Meath was almostruined by the private quarrels of Hugh, Earl of Ulster, and William Marshall. Walter de Lacy

having died in 1234 without male issue, his princely possessions descended to his two

daughters, the wives of Geoffrey de Geneville and Theobald Verdun.

4.4 EARLY MODERN PERIOD

In the reign of Henry VIII., the extensive church property in the county fell into the hands of

the king on the dissolution of the monasteries and towards the close of the same reign Con

O'Nial, King or Prince of Ulster, invaded Meath and pillaged and burned Navan in his

progress; to prevent a recurrence of this calamity a cess (tax) of 3s. 4d. was laid on everyplougland in the county, to be applied towards enclosing Navan with a wall. In the 34th year

of the same kings reign, the division of the county into Meath and Westmeath took place.

During the reign of Elizabeth the county was in a state of great wretchedness and

destitution, as appears from the report made by Sir Henry Sidney, in 1576, in which he

says of that, of the 224 parish churches then in the diocese, the walls of many had fallen;

very few chancels were covered, and the windows and doors were spoiled.

The re-conquest of the country was completed by James I, after several extremely brutal

conflicts. After this point, the English authorities in Dublin established real control overIreland for the first time, bringing a centralised government to the entire island, and

successfully disarmed the native lordships. From the mid-16th and into the early 17th

century, crown governments carried out a policy of colonisation known as Plantations.

Scottish and English Protestants were sent as colonists to the provinces of Munster, Ulster

and the counties of Laois and Offaly. These settlers, who had a British and Protestant


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identity, would form the ruling class of future British administrations in Ireland. However, the

English were not successful in converting the Catholic Irish to the Protestant religion and

the brutal methods used by crown authority to pacify the country heightened resentment of

English rule.

This seething resentment was unleashed with a rebellion of the Irish of Ulster in October

1641, during which thousands of Scots and English Protestant settlers were killed. The

rebellion spread throughout the country and at Kilkenny in 1642 the association of The

Confederate Catholics of Ireland was formed to organise the Irish Catholic war effort. The

Irish Confederates professed to side with the English Royalists during the ensuing civil

wars, but mostly fought their own war in defence of the Irish Catholic landed class's

interests.

The Confederates ruled much of Ireland as a de facto sovereign state until 1649, and

proclaimed their loyalty to Charles I. From 1641 to 1649, the Confederates fought against

Scottish Covenanter and English Parliamentarian armies in Ireland. The Confederates, in

the context of civil war in England, were loosely allied with the English Royalists, but were

divided over whether to send military help to them in the English Civil War.

The wars produced an extremely fractured array of forces in Ireland. The Protestant forces

were split into three main factions (English Royalist, English Parliamentarian and Scottish

Covenanter) as a result of the civil wars in England and Scotland. The Catholic

Confederates themselves split on more than one occasion over the issue of whether their

first loyalty was to the Catholic religion or to King Charles I.

The wars ended in the defeat of the Confederates. They and their English Royalist allies

were defeated during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland by the New Model Army under

Oliver Cromwell in 1649-53. The wars following the 1641 revolt caused massive loss of life.

The ultimate winner, the English parliament, arranged for the mass confiscation of land

owned by Irish Catholics as punishment for the rebellion and to pay for the war. Although

some of this land was returned after 1660 on the Restoration of the monarchy in England,

the period marked the effective end of the old Catholic landed class.

Despite the devastation wreaked on the country by the Cromwellian conquest there was

still another bloody chapter to be written. This time international events would conspire to

put Ireland centre stage for the final confrontation between The War of the Two Kings. Also

known the Williamite War this conflict followed the deposition of King James II in 1688

when he was replaced by his daughter Mary II with her more acceptable protestant


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husband William of Orange, grandson of Charles I. In an effort to regain his throne James

landed in Kinsale, Ireland on 12 March 1689, with 6,000 French soldiers. He first marched

on Dublin, where he was well received and, with a Jacobite army of Catholics, Protestant

Royalists and French. After initial successes such as Dromore on 14 March 1689 the

Jacobites were able to advancenorthwards and occupy Belfast. At Crom Castle on 28 July1689, near Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, the Jacobites received their first major defeat

of the Williamite War. Their numerical superiority became worthless when their

commander, Viscount Mountcashel, gave an unclear order. A chaotic retreat followed and

roughly 400 officers were detained and 2500 men died, amongst them several who tried to

swim over Upper Lough Erne to safety.

Following their success the Williamites landed reinforcements under the Duke of

Schomberg, at Ballyholme Bay in County Down on 13 August 1689. Schomberg marched

southwards to Dundalk but his army was slowed due to an outbreak of fever and thedelaying actions fought by the retreating Jacobites. Impatient with Schomberg's slow

progress, William decided to take charge. He arrived with a fleet of 300 ships at Belfast

Lough on 14 June 1690. He then marched south towards Dublin. After some resistance

near Newry the Jacobites withdrew to the south bank of the River Boyne, where they took

up a defensive position at the village of Oldbridge, near Drogheda. On 1 July, William

attacked their position, fording the Boyne at several places, forcing the Jacobites to retreat

to avoid being surrounded. The Battle of the Boyne was not militarily decisive and

casualties on both sides were not higharound 1500 Jacobites and 500 Williamites were

killed. However, it proved enough to collapse James's confidence in victory and hedeserted his Irish supporters returning to exile in France. William published very harsh

peace terms in Dublin, excluding the Jacobite officers and the Irish Catholic landed class

from the pardon he offered to Jacobite foot-soldiers. As a result, Irish Jacobite leaders felt

they had no choice but to fight until they received guarantees that their lives, property, and

civil and religious rights would be respected in a peace settlement. This settlement signed

in Limerick on 3 October 1691 offered generous terms to Jacobites willing to stay in Ireland

and give an oath of loyalty to William III. Peace was concluded on these terms between

Sarsfield and Ginkell, giving toleration to Catholicism and full legal rights to Catholics that

swore an oath of loyalty to William III.

The Williamite victory in Ireland ensured British and Protestant dominance over Ireland.

Until the 19th century, Ireland would be ruled by what became known as the "Protestant

Ascendancy", the mostly English Protestant ruling class. The majority Irish Catholic


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community and the Ulster-Scots Presbyterian community were systematically excluded

from power, which was based on land ownership.

This legacy is evident in the many large country homes of the Anglo-Irish landed gentry in

County Meath. These Big houses are usually encompassed by large estates with smallplots rented out to the native Irish tenants. Of the many big houses built in County Meath

many, like Randalstown House, are no longer standing. Others, like Slane Castle and

Headfort house, are still in use for various purposes.


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5 THE TELTOWN ZONE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AMENITY

During discussions with the DoEHLG regarding the proposed Woodland Moyhill 400kV

Transmission Line Project, the department representatives highlighted their concerns

regarding the line route passing through the Teltown region. A map was presented whichoutlines a Zone of Archaeological Amenity (Appendix 14.8, Annex 1: Figure 1) in the area

and although the zone has no legal status the mythological and folkloric associations, some

of which are referred to in this report, are extensive and therefore the DoEHLG view the

region as a nationally important landscape.

The zone is located on south facing gently sloping terrain to the north of the river

Blackwater. Its southern boundary is predominantly the Blackwater River itself, except in

the south east corner where the zone also encompasses an area to the south at a sharp

bend in the river. To the north it is bordered by the R163 which also represents ageographical boundary to the zone as the road follows a ridge line. There are no views

over the zone of archaeological amenity from the north due to its south facing aspect.

Views are limited around and within the zone, characterised by arable land with high hedge

rows. Many of the roads and fields in the area are bordered by trees providing high levels

of screening.

5.1 LITERARY REFERENCES TO THE AREA

5.1.1 ODONOVANS ORDNANCE SURVEY LETTERSODonovan was the fourth son of Edmond O'Donovan and Eleanor Hoberlin of

Rochestown. His early career may have been inspired by his uncle Parick O'Donovan. He

worked for antiquarian James Hardiman researching state papers and traditional sources at

the Public Records Office. He also taught Irish to Thomas Larcom for a short period in 1828

and worked for Myles John O'Reilly, a collector of Irish manuscripts. Following the death of

Edward O'Reilly in August 1830, he was recruited to the Topographical Department of the

first Ordnance Survey of Ireland under George Petrie in October 1830. Apart from a brief

period in 1833, he worked steadily for the Survey on place-name researches until 1842,

unearthing and preserving many manuscripts. His letters to Larcom are generally regardedas an important record of the ancient lore of Ireland for those counties he documented

during his years of travel throughout much of Ireland.


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The Following are extracts from ODonovans Ordnance Survey Letters, written at the time

of the drafting of the First Edition Ordnance Survey Maps. Some of the letters refer to

features indicated on the following Illustrations:

Illustration 13: ODonovans map of the Teltown 1836, showing the significant sitesassociated with the area;

Illustration 14: Annotated map of Teltown showing locations of monuments; and

Appendix 14.8, Annex 1: Figure 3 First Edition Ordnance Survey Map with

ODonovans notes from the Ordnance Survey Letters.

5.1.1.1 JULY 15TH 1836,

The Parish of Tailteann is otherwise called Orestown, which is probably the name you

have got on the plan. Teltown is however a Townland, and must be on the plan,

J, O'Donovan.

5.1.1.2 JULY 12TH 1836. KEANNANNUS, 6

Dear Sir, I

To say no more about Molaise and the wandering Methodists whom (not Molaise) I most

heartily detest as a set of immoral, lying scoundrels. I shall now go on with my own

business, which has a good deal to do with ould Saints but nothing at all with those who

see angels and converse with them in the l9th century. I have visited Taillteann and

identified its name and locality. It lies about four miles southeast of Kells to the right of theroad as one goes from Kells to Donaghpatrick. Nothing is now to be seen there but an

earthen fort called Rath Dhubh, 112 paces in diameter but presenting no peculiar features.

Between this Rath and the road is to be seen two small loughs now nearly dried up. These

have the appearance of being artificial lakes and may have been used while the Olympic

Games of Taillteann were celebrated by the Irish. Have this fort and these loughs been

shown on the plan; if so, what names have been given them?

Lanigan throws out a very bold conjecture that Telltown in the County of Meath was the

place called Taillteann by the Irish writers, but it need not remain a matter of conjecture, as

it is called, Taillteann at this day and pointed at as the famous place of antiquity where the

Irish met for various purposes.

The names of Meath present a very strange aspect to the Irish Etymologist; they have

almost all assumed an English appearance, and the most ridiculous transpositions have


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been made to anglicise them; town has been stuck as a tail to the greater part of them, and

the word rath, instead of being placed first as is the Irish custom, has been placed last,

which frequently gives a name a very exotic look. Ex. gr. Maperath for Rath a' Mhabaidh,

Calliaghstown Ballynagalliagh. To comply with the general custom of sticking town as a tail

to as many of these names as possible, the ancient name of Queen Taillteann, thedaughter of Mamore, was changed to Telltown, as if it were to make it impossible to tell

what town it anciently was the name of! Fortunately however, it happens that the Irish

Language is still spoken in the neighbourhood which enables me to put it on record that the

place which the English speaking people call Teltown is invariably called Taillteann by the

Irish, which, joined with the traditions connected with the Rath and with its description by

Colgan as near Donaghpatrick, perfectly identifies it with the Olympic Games of Looee.

We are informed by the Four Masters that Roderic O'Conor was the last King who

celebrated the Nassa of Tailteann, and that on the occasion his people covered the countryfor some miles around. Of this more here after.

Your obedient servant,

John ODonovan.

5.1.1.3 JULY 15TH 1836, KENNANUS, 9

Dear Sir,

I hope that in the course of next Winter we shall be able to prepare for the ensuingexcursion, as this has proved a perfect failure. If you want names for the Engravers you

can draw upon me instantly as we have not lost 1 minute since we arrived in Meath; but

should there be no immediate call for names I shall keep the Name Books until the Extracts

from the Annals, etc., arrive that I may be enabled to speak with more confidence and

decision upon the names of wells and other remarkable features of antiquity.

Traditio de Taltenia asservata.

In my last letter I mentioned that the Fair of Tailteann was celebrated by Roderic OConor,

the last Milesian King of Ireland. I can now state on the authority of several old natives thatthe sports of Tailteann were celebrated at so late a period as thirty years ago! An annual

Pattern was held on the south side of the River, opposite the fort of Telton, on the first

Sunday of the month, which the Irish at this day in every part of Ireland call Lughnasadh, its

having been, according to Cormacs Glossary, the month in which Looee of the Long

Hands celebrated the Games of Tailteann, It was the month of August, which is called by


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the Irish the Month of Looees Nasa or Sports or Games. About thirty years ago the

Meathians carried the Nassa of Looee to such a pitch of violence after they had introduced

Potten instead of Metheglin, that the Clergy, the Magistrates and all those who consulted

for the welfare of the people, thought it advisable to abolish the Sports of Tailteann, and

thus put a stop to Olympic Games which had continued to amuse the people for a period ofmore than 2,000 years! What a pity that they were not able to let them continue by re-

introducing Metheglin instead of Whisky!

What I consider very curious in this Pattern is that it was not carried on in honor of any

Saint, as is always the case in every other Parish, and that it was held in the very beginning

of the month which derived its name from the Sports of Tailteann. The usual sports carried

on in latter days were dancing, wrestling, boxing- sports congenial to the Irish temperament

or Constitution. In ancient times the Irish met at Tailteann for various purposes, viz., to

contract marriages, which they did by the simple ceremony (if we believe the book ofFermoy) of kissing and shaking hands (und posadh, marriage); for buying and selling (we

learn from Cormac's Glossary that there was a hill at Tailteann called Tulach na Coibhche,

which he explains Hill of Buying or Market Hill. This is probably the mound lying to the north

of the road on which there is a Trig. Station) and for exhibiting feats of eangnamh -

dexterity at arms and buffoonery (l suppose grinning through horse-collars as in England!).

But these are facts which must be hereafter cleared up from The Book of Fermoy. My

present object is to identify the sites of ancient places; to clear up the history is another

business which cannot be done in a letter written from the force of memory in a country

town where there is not a single book to be consulted on the subject.

Tradition says that St. Patrick condemned the shade of Laogaire, King of Tara, to remain in

the Dubhloch, which lies to the east of the Fort of Tailteann, until the Day of Judgement.

Laogaire never believed that Christ was the Son of God, for which he is condemned by all

the Milisian writers of Christian era..


J. O'Donovan.


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5.1.1.4 JULY 14TH 1836. KELLS

Dear Sir,

My paper is all out; please to send me some, as also some quills, for Meath will consume a

good deal of both.

Let me have St. Patrick's travels through Meath as given in the Tripartite and Colgan's

notes upon the same.

St. Patrick's visit to Tailteann is thus described by the Monk Jocelyn:-

"And on Monday Patrick came to Taltenia where the royal fair, public Games and contests

were accustomed to be held yearly. ln this place he met with Carbr (the son of Niall and

brother of King Laogaire) who was like the King, his brother, in ferocity of mind and cruelty.

When St. Patrick was preaching the Word of Life unto him, and was laying before him the

way of salvation, that man of adamantine heart not only refused to believe in the truth

preached unto him but even plotted death for the preacher of the Way of Life, and drove

with scourge the companions of the holy men into a neighbouring river called Sele,

because Patrick had celled him an enemy of God. Then the man of God, seeing that he

was a man of inveterate malice and a reprobate, said unto him "Because thou hast

opposed the doctrine of the of the King of Heaven and refused to bear his sweet yoke,

neither Kings nor Rulers shall be descended from thy seed, but thy seed shall be

subservient to the seed of thy brothers, nor shall the neighbouring river, into which thou

hast driven my companions and which now abounds in fish, ever yield any henceforward."

This passage is curious, but I am anxious to have the words of the Tripartite as Jocelyn has

obtained the character of Jocelyn of the Dark Ages, Prince of legendary writers" and this

without deserving it more than St. Augustin or any other of the same imaginative class of

writers.

Colgan says that the river called Sele by Jocelyn was called Abha Dhubh i.e., Fluvius Niger

in his own time (1647). It is now called The Blackwater River which rises in Lough Ramornear Virginia in Cavan and pays its tribute to the Boyne at the Town of Navan but l guess it

has shaken off the curse of St. Patrick as I crossed a stone carry or weir upon it which

makes me suspect that fishes venture up it in this age of general liberty and universal

benevolence, when men never carry their indignation so far as to wreak vengeance on

rivers and other imprecipient objects which, as they have no power of volition, cannot


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become accountable for any transgressions. I shall Follow St. Patrick through every glen

and over every river, and find Fault with him wherever he becomes haughty for which he

will probably keep me out, but if St. Patrick shuns the truth I have no wish to go into the

same place with him. He had his whims and his faults as well as modern preachers, who

would curse rivers new as well as in the days of Patrick if they could gain any point by sodoing.

It is curious that the fort, river and lough of Tailteann now bear the epithet of dubh, black,

being called Rath Dubh, Dubh-Loch and Abha Dhubh. Let these be carefully marked on the

Plan of Tailteann Parish. Should we not venture to anglicise this Telton, as it is spelled by

Usher in his Primordia (Page ?) and in the Inquisition taken in the reign of James I. Teltown

is a very vulgar modern corruption, supported by no respectable authority.

Let me know the lands belonging to the Abbey and other establishments at Kells according

to Archdall and the inquisitions. Is there any record of Headfort (Headford) near Kells,

which is called Kenlis by the Irish and supposed to have given the name of Kenlis to Kells?


John O'Donovan.

5.1.1.5 SUNDAY, JULY 17TH 1836. NAVAN

Dear Sir,

This being an idle day we again visited Telton, and went over the ground carefully with the

most intelligent of the natives, who pointed out some additional features. They say that the

Fair of Telton was transferred to Orestown, where it was held till thirty years ago. Orestown

is set down in old Almanacks as a fair-town. The sports of Telton were transferred to

Martry, opposite the Rath on the south side of the Blackwater River. Perhaps you could

send me a trace from the fair plan of Telton or Orestown Parish, that I may see if all are

marked.

a. The great Rath of Tailteann, measuring one hundred and twelve steps in diameter. It

now consists of one ring only but there was a second ring which was levelled a few yearsago by the present proprietor.

b. An artificial lake, one hundred and ninety two paces in circumference; it is nearly circular.

c. An artificial lake 130 paces in circumference.


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d. A blind lough called Doolough lying two fields east of the Rath. Tradition says that Saint

Patrick confined the shade of Laogaire in this lough.

e. A Trig. pole lying north of the road. The eminence on which this pole stands is believed

by the natives to be the highest ground in Ireland! Is it 2300 feet above the level of the sea?

f. Remains of a mound, now a rabbit warren.

g. A hollow called Lag an Aonaigh, i.e., the Hollow of the Fair. Here, according to tradition,

marriages were celebrated in Pagan times. A well springs in the centre of this hollow a

short distance (i.e., a few yards) to the south of which a wall (now a ditch) was erected, and

in this wall there was a gateway closed by a wooden gate in which there was a hole large

enough to admit a human hand. This is the spot at which marriages were celebrated

according to the odd manner following. A number of young men went into the hollow to the

north side of the wall and an equal number of marriageable young women to the south sideof the wall, which was so high as to prevent them from seeing the men; one of the women

put her hand thro' the hole in the gate, and a man took hold of it from the other side, being

guided in his choice only by the appearance of the hand. The two who thus joined hands by

blind chance were obliged to live together for a year and a day (this agrees with the hand-

fasting of the highlanders) at the expiration of which time they appeared at the Rath of

Telton, and if they were not satisfied with each other they obtained a deed of separation,

and were entitled to go to Leganeeny again to try their good fortune for the ensuing year.

This tradition has given rise to a phrase in the Country "they got a Tailteann Marriage" by

which is meant that they took each other's word for nine months. The natives of Telton thinkthat there was a great deal of fair play in this marriage, for which as opinion Paley would

condemn them as savages, and Milton would applaud them as men of sound ethical

principles!

Whether this tradition be right or wrong, or partly right and partly wrong, we must ascertain

hereafter, not now.

The natives believe that Telton is the oldest place in Ireland excepting Tara.

h. An artificial lough just dried up. The tradition in the Country is that the loughs (b, c, h. )were formed by an old race of men called the Firvolg, but for what purpose they know not,

unless it was for watering their cattle.

i. A pile of stones around a tree called Bun Mucnaidhe,


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Tradition remembers nothing about this monument but that it was placed there to

commemorate the death of a Christian warrior of the name Art, who was a very good man

and on whose fall several poems, now forgotten, were composed.

Cromwell ran a road through the Country in this direction, a part of which is still traceablefrom Leganeeny to Bunmuckny (vide g i).

The old graveyard of Tailteann is yet pointed out and the Patron Saint is remembered to be

St. Catherine.

I hope that all those features are marked on the plans; if not I think you should have them

marked.

Let me know how soon the Name Books of the Barony of Navan will be ready? Direct to

Navan as I find it a better town and a more convenient centre than Kells. St. Patrick doesnot allow much fish up the Blackwater.

Let me know if Mr. Petrie has heard of the Copper book found near Moynalty and sent to

Dublin?


John ODonovan.

5.1.1.6 TUESDAY JULY 18TH 1836. NAVANDear Sir,

The map of Meath which you sent us is wrong, and we have been often set astray by it; I

hope you will be able to send us a more correct one, that is one shewing the relative

situation of the parishes and all the villages. The parishes of Meath are very small, and will

for that reason occupy much time; and much time will also be consumed by going away

from Navan and Kells without finishing the Parishes lying around them. What time will it

take to finish the name Books of the Barony of Navan? Let me suggest that, unless the

Inquisitions be compared immediately we shall soon be knocked idle for want of N: books.

OF THE PARISH OF DONAGHPATRICK.

This is a very small parish lying to the East of the Rath of Telton and midway between the

towns of Kells and Navan. The site of the ancient Church is occupied by a modern

Protestant church, which the natives believe to be of the same size and form with the one


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erected by St Patrick. It stands near the northern bank of the River Sele or Black water.

The situation of Domnach-Padruig is described by Colgan thus: `Domnach-Padruig is

called by that name even to this day: it is a Church in the Diocese of Meath near Taltenia'

(juxta Talteniam). Evin, in the Tripartite Life of Saint Patrick, gives the following account of

the Apostle's visit to Telton and of the erection of Donaghpatrick:

Triad: Thau: p. 129, col. 2, c. 4.

And on Monday Patrick came to Taltenia where the Royal Fair, Public

Games and contests (certamina) were accustomed to be celebrated

yearly. Here he met with Carbr (the son of Niall and brother of King

Laogaire) who like the King his brother was fierce and cruel. When St.

Patrick was preaching the word of life unto him and was laying before him

the way of salvation, that man of adamantine heart, not only refused to

believe in the truth preached unto him, but even plotted death for the

preacher of the way of life, and with a scourge (whip) drove the

companions of the Holy Man into an adjacent river, called Sele, because

Patrick had called him an enemy of God. Then the Man of God, seeing

that Carbr was a man of inveterate malice, and a reprobate in sight of

God, said unto him `Because thou hast opposed the doctrine of the King of

Heaven and refused to bear his sweet yoke, neither Kings nor chieftains

shall be descended from thee, but they seed shall, for ever, be subservient

to the seed of thy brothers; and this adjacent river into which thou hast

scourged my companions, although now abounding in fish, shall never

yield any henceforward.'

CAP. V

Patrick, having left Carbr the son of perdition proceeded to Conall, his

brother, whose residence was then at the place where the Church of

Domnach-Padruig was afterwards erected. Conall received with joy the

herald of truth, as an angel of light, and behaved towards him with due

respect and reverence, and adapting his ears and mind to his doctrine,was by him instructed in the mysteries of faith, regenerated in salutary

baptism and added to the family of Christ. The Man of God gave him his

Benediction, saying at the same time `the seed of thy brothers shall serve

thy seed, and this sacred patrimony obtained by hereditary right, shall

pass to thy posterity from father to son, that they may venerate my


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successors, respect them with homage, and defend them with their

patronage.'1

In that place where his palace (Aula) stood, Conall laid the foundation of a

Church for God and St Patrick, which was sixty of his own feet (quodpedibus ejus LX. pedum erat) and he removed his own palace to another

place not far distant.

Patrick then said unto him, whosoever of thy posterity shall

Documents

14.8 Telltown Impact Assessment Report