What is recorded here

Cloonestown in County Meath is a deserted medieval settlement where six flat platforms still line a shallow hollow way. Alexander Barnwell owned the land in 1640 with two thatch houses and cabins, but the larger rectangular earthwork predates him and has no visible entrance. The region is an ancient chamber of human life. The absence of an entrance suggests the platform may be a stage for ceremony rather than a home for residence.

Located in pasture on a slight SW-facing slope. In 1640 230 acres at Cloonestown was owned by Alexander Barnwell of Aratstowne (Arodstown) and on the premises were two farm thatch houses and some cabins (Simington 1940, 75). Earthwork features are visible on vertical aerial photographs (GSIAP: N 88, 89) and some later series of images such as Google Earth (23/09/2013). Towards the E edge of this field there are six or more platforms (dims of top 5.3m x 4m to 8m x 6m) defined by scarps (H c. 0-2-0.5) placed close together. The platforms are close to an E-W stream or hollow way (Wth c. 3.5m D 0.3-0.4m). One rectangular enclosure (dims 66m NW-SE; 47m plus NE-SW) is defined by earthen banks (Wth of base 5.5m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 0.8m) at SE with an earthen bank and outer fosse or drain on the SW and NW sides. There is no identifiable entrance, but the enclosure is truncated by an E-W modern field bank at N. See the attached enhanced view from Google Earth (23/09/2013) 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: 13 April, 2022

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