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Meath
Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath
Early Medieval Crannog
Grid reference: N81988555 (281980/285559)
SMR No: ME005-099
Excavation License No: E337
Excavation duration/year: 1980-1998
Site director: J. Bradley (St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth)
Moynagh Lough, Co. Meath, is the most significant early medieval crannog excavated in
Ireland in modern times, having been the subject of a long-term programme of excavations
since the 1980s by John Bradley (Fig. 259). The site had been occupied in the Late
Mesolithic, and in the early and late Bronze Age, followed by a hiatus in the Iron Age. In the
early medieval period, there were several phases of occupation from the late-sixth to the
ninth century A.D., with a sequence of palisades, circular houses and evidence for on-site
metalworking, the trade of exotic goods, diet and economy.
The early medieval crannog was situated at the southern edge of a former lake on the River
Dee, overlooked by hills and slopes to the south and west. The site was sheltered from southwest
winds and was snugly placed inside one corner of the lake with good views to the north
and north-east. It seems that the muddy knolls and artificially constructed mounds of peat
occupied in the Mesolithic and Bronze Age remained as lake shallows beside the deepest part
of the lake, making it a good location for crannog construction. There are several substantial
early medieval enclosures on the neighbouring drylands, notably those to the immediate west
at Lissanard, Lissnacross and Cherbourg Wood. An Anglo-Norman motte at Nobber to the
north may also have its origins in the early medieval period, perhaps being originally an early
medieval raised enclosure. Other sites in the environs include several crannogs, an early
medieval church site at Nobber, a potential unenclosed settlement at a souterrain at Ballynee,
as well as possible horizontal mills on the River Dee.
There were at least six phases of occupation in the early medieval period, each marked by a
re-deposited layer of peat and possibly representing a generation of activity. The crannog
varied in form through these five phases of occupation, but in general terms it measured 40m
by 32m. The sub-structure consisted of stones, gravelly earth, timbers, brushwood and redeposited
peat. Piles were driven into the ground both outside the crannog (to a distance of
10m out from the western side) and within to retain the foundation layers.
Phase U was the earliest phase in the early medieval period, probably dating to the late-sixth
to seventh centuries A.D. It has produced an early medieval occupation horizon, with a hut
and pathway that apparently pre-dates the main palisade construction (as both are cut by it).
There was a small circular hut (3m in diameter), with an arc of post-and-wattles (2.9m by
1.9m), a charcoal-rich floor, and a spud-stone to hold a door at the south side. There was
also a pathway running away from the house, 4m in length, consisting of 32 flat timbers,
some re-used. There were also gravel spreads on the east side of the crannog, potentially the
earliest of the early medieval occupation layers. At the south side of the crannog, there was a
stone hearth, with a C-shaped arc around it. Finds from the vicinity of the hut included E
ware (sixth/mid-seventh-century imported pottery); an iron shield boss; and a rectangular
bronze mount (similar to the escutcheons on the Sutton Hoo hanging bowl). Finds from the
gravel spread included two Merovingian glass bottles and a bronze spatula for removing their
contents, both being sixth/seventh century in date. At the south side, there were bone combs
and amber beads.
Phase V is represented by a group of refuse layers, but no structures are reported. The phase
is interpreted as dating to the mid- to late-seventh century A.D. Finds included a rim-sherd of
E ware, a bronze disc-pendant pin, a bronze pennanular brooch with birds head terminals,
double-sided bone combs, glass beads and a leather shoe.
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