What is recorded here

Twelve acres of field banks vanished from Blackhall Big between 1970 and 1995, erasing the visible boundary of a place that once shaped how people lived. The rath and rectangular enclosure stood clear in aerial photographs, yet D. O’Connor’s excavations near the circular enclosure found no trace of the fields. What disappeared may have been ordinary farmland, but ordinary farmland sustained everyone who ate. Forgetting it is a choice, not a fact.

Situated on a fairly level landscape. An oblique aerial photograph (CUCAP: BDK008) from 1970 shows the rath (ME050-006----) with a rectangular enclosure (dims c. 35m N-S; c. 35m E-W) defined by banks and ditches attached to the S as well as field banks further N. No pattern is discernible but the earthworks cover about 12 acres (c. 5 ha). The visible profile had been removed by 1995 (OSAP). Archaeological testing (02E1388) by D. O’Connor in the N part of the fields just NW of the circular enclosure failed to produce any evidence of the fields (excavations.ie 2002:1431). 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 Amended: 29 October 2021

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