What is recorded here

Crannog in Coole was a true island on the eastern edge of Newcastle Lough before the water withdrew to attach it to the shore. It still stands as a grass-covered oval, barely sixty centimetres above the surrounding ground, with trees breaking the line of the lough. Quernstones recovered from the site suggest people ground grain there when the water still closed around them. The lough has since shrunk, turning a defended or hidden place into an ordinary bank, yet the shape remains clear enough to imagine the doorway, smoke and daily noise that once filled it.

Situated close to an outlet at the E angle of the sub-rectangular Newcastle Lough (dims c. 350m NW-SE; c. 210-280m NE-SW), which is smaller than its representation (dims c. 500m NW-SE; c. 450m NE-SW) on the 1836 edition of the OS 6-inch map. It is depicted as a small island (diam. c. 15m) only on the OS 25-inch map, and is now attached to the shore. It is visible as a slightly raised grass-covered oval area (dims 18m E-W; 14m; H 0.6m) with some trees. There is no indication of any artificial construction but fragments of quernstones have been found on it (SMR file). 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 revision: 3 September 2018

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