Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan recognised the discovery of a previously unknown 5,500-year-old passage tomb on a farm owned by Devenish Nutrition at Dowth Hall, Co Meath, this Monday.
The company has been conducting archaelogical research in co-operation with heritage authorities and UCD, Minister Madigan said. This led to the discovery of the neolithic burial site featuring intricate carved stones.
The Devenish research farm at Dowth sits in the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO historic site, which includes Newgrange. "I'm delighted to see that with the creative input of Mullarkey and Pedersen Architects, Devenish is planning the preservation of the remains of the passage tomb cemetery discovered here at Dowth Hall," Minister Madigan said. There are plans to allow the public access to the site in the future, with initial visits taking place during Heritage Week next month, she added.
From left: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, archaeologist Dr Clíodhna Ní Líonáin, Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tom Kelly, Devenish executive chairman Owen Brennan and his wife Prof Alice Stanton at the site of the recently uncovered passage tomb at Dowth Hall, Co Meath.
Devenish executive chair Owen Brennan bought the 430ac Dowth Hall estate in 2013 for a reported €5m.
Aerial survey
Also in the Boyne valley, an aerial survey conducted the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht last week has revealed "an array of very significant additional archaeological features" from the same period, Minister Madigan said.
The survey followed a drone flight by Irish Farmers Journal subeditor Anthony Murphy and fellow local historian Ken Williams, which uncovered a first site made visible in crops by the current drought.
Archaeological finds in aerial survey of the Boyne Valley in Co Meath. \ Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
"After my Department being informed of a significant archaeological discovery last week near Newgrange, which we are very grateful to Mr Murphy and Mr Williams for reporting, my Department‘s National Monuments Service carried out an aerial survey on Friday to scan the Newgrange landscape for any additional features, in the knowledge that these rare ground conditions and crop mark phenomena affords a rare opportunity to uncover further secrets held in our landscape," Minister Madigan said.
Archaeological finds in aerial survey of the Boyne Valley in Co Meath. \ Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Archaelogists are now analysing and mapping the contents of aerial photographs to understand the latest discoveries.
Read more
‘Once in a generation’ – Farmers Journal subeditor makes ancient discovery
Weekly weather: Significant rain forecast Thursday and Friday
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan recognised the discovery of a previously unknown 5,500-year-old passage tomb on a farm owned by Devenish Nutrition at Dowth Hall, Co Meath, this Monday.
The company has been conducting archaelogical research in co-operation with heritage authorities and UCD, Minister Madigan said. This led to the discovery of the neolithic burial site featuring intricate carved stones.
The Devenish research farm at Dowth sits in the Brú na Bóinne UNESCO historic site, which includes Newgrange. "I'm delighted to see that with the creative input of Mullarkey and Pedersen Architects, Devenish is planning the preservation of the remains of the passage tomb cemetery discovered here at Dowth Hall," Minister Madigan said. There are plans to allow the public access to the site in the future, with initial visits taking place during Heritage Week next month, she added.
From left: Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan, archaeologist Dr Clíodhna Ní Líonáin, Meath County Council Cathaoirleach Tom Kelly, Devenish executive chairman Owen Brennan and his wife Prof Alice Stanton at the site of the recently uncovered passage tomb at Dowth Hall, Co Meath.
Devenish executive chair Owen Brennan bought the 430ac Dowth Hall estate in 2013 for a reported €5m.
Aerial survey
Also in the Boyne valley, an aerial survey conducted the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht last week has revealed "an array of very significant additional archaeological features" from the same period, Minister Madigan said.
The survey followed a drone flight by Irish Farmers Journal subeditor Anthony Murphy and fellow local historian Ken Williams, which uncovered a first site made visible in crops by the current drought.
Archaeological finds in aerial survey of the Boyne Valley in Co Meath. \ Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
"After my Department being informed of a significant archaeological discovery last week near Newgrange, which we are very grateful to Mr Murphy and Mr Williams for reporting, my Department‘s National Monuments Service carried out an aerial survey on Friday to scan the Newgrange landscape for any additional features, in the knowledge that these rare ground conditions and crop mark phenomena affords a rare opportunity to uncover further secrets held in our landscape," Minister Madigan said.
Archaeological finds in aerial survey of the Boyne Valley in Co Meath. \ Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Archaelogists are now analysing and mapping the contents of aerial photographs to understand the latest discoveries.
Read more
‘Once in a generation’ – Farmers Journal subeditor makes ancient discovery
Weekly weather: Significant rain forecast Thursday and Friday
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