environmental impact statement kilmainhamwood compost facility ...

5361- Kilmainhamwood Compost Facility Extension- EIS
12.2 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
12.2.1 Location Details
Townland Ballynalurgan
Barony Morgallion
Parish Enniskeen
OS 6” Sheet No. Meath 002 & 005
The assessment area is located approximately 6km northwest of the early medieval and Anglo Norman
settlement of Nobber.
12.2.2 General History of County Meath
County Meath is traditionally known as the ‘Royal County’ because it contained the seat of the ancient
High Kings of Ireland at the Hill of Tara. Meath is said to derive from the name Midhe. He was the son
of Bratha and the principal druid of the mythological clan Neimhidh. The territory is now much smaller
than its extent in ancient times when it would have included parts of Westmeath, Longford and
southeast Cavan but within its present boundaries are some of the most important sites in the
mythology, archaeology and history of Ireland.
Prehistory
The earliest recorded phase of human occupation in Ireland is the Mesolithic period (7500–4500 BC)
when groups of hunter-gatherers were living at subsistence level close to rivers and lakes and along the
coastline, surviving on the limited flora and fauna available in the post-glacial period. They were a
mobile society relying on wild resources for food, which was hunted and gathered using stone tools as
well as boats, nets and traps. Settlement was in temporary and semi permanent groups of huts
constructed of wood slung with hide, which may have operated as seasonal or hunting camps. Late
Mesolithic material is known from County Meath at Moynagh Lough (O’Sullivan 1998, 52–53), the
crannóg comprised an oval mound and was revealed as a multi-period site with activity continuing until
late in the 8th century.
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Farming was first adopted in the Middle East but spread gradually across Europe in succeeding
centuries, arriving in Ireland about 4000BC. This transition in Ireland changed an economy based
principally on hunting and foraging to one primarily of cereal cultivation and livestock rearing. Tending
of crops and animals required a more sedentary lifestyle and larger permanent settlements were built.
The megalithic (from the Greek mega – large and lith – stone) monuments of the Neolithic people built
as communal tombs or for ceremonial purposes, are relatively common in the landscape. New methods
were adopted for shaping stone tools and the first long distance trade networks were established. As a
consequence, within Meath and elsewhere, large tracts of forest cover were cleared, permanent
settlements were established, pottery was first used, and elaborate burial rites were developed which
centred on large communal ritual monuments.
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