What is recorded here

Beneath the mound linked to St. Ann’s church in Randalstown, a wide enclosed area hid ditches, hearths and pits from the earlier first millennium AD. Excavation revealed a Roman bronze brooch, flint scrapers, coarse pottery and later imported wares, including green glass fragments from the 5th to 9th centuries. The site may have been a busy boundary of settlement and ritual memory, with people moving through its curved ditches long before the church mound marked the place.

Situated beneath the mound associated with St. Ann’s church (ME025-002001-). Ditches and occupation levels, including hearths and pits dating to the earlier first millennium AD were recovered in excavation (E000149) by E. P. Kelly. A bronze Roman fibula or brooch of 1st century date, together with flint scrapers and coarse pottery were amongst the finds. There were also late and post-Roman imported goods, including B ware and E ware, and fragments of a green glass vessel dating from the 5th to 9th centuries. Sections of a fosse (Wth 4m; D 2m) were excavated at two points, suggesting that an extensive area (diam. c. 90m) was enclosed, with numerous features within it evidenced by sections of smaller curved and linear ditches. (NMI file; Kelly 1973, 10; 1976) 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/revision: 27 June, 2014

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.