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This report comprises the definitive results of the archaeological excavation of Site Clonfad 3, in the townland of Clonfad, Co. Westmeath. This excavation was undertaken as part of the archaeological programme for the N52 upgrade, part of the N6 Kilbeggan to Kinnegad Dual Carriageway. The excavation was conducted by Paul Stevens, under Ministerial Direction No. A001/036 Registration Number E2723, for Valerie J Keeley Ltd., from 15th November 2004 to 28th February 2005. Excavation revealed a previously unknown multi – vallate monastic enclosure site, dated to the early medieval period, probably incorporating a known (later) ruined stone church & graveyard (RMP ref. WM 032: 038). Evidence for secondary use in the medieval and later post medieval periods, was also revealed. The area of excavation constituted approx. 10% (estimated at 1.25 Ha/c.3 Acres) of this enclosure site, the majority of the site situated to the west of the road take and preserved under pasture. Excavation produced significant evidence of ecclesiastical life in the 6th – 9th century, including a production centre for manufacture of hand bells – a symbol of the early Christian Celtic church across Britain and Ireland. In total, over 600 artefacts were retrieved. A large and significant assemblage of iron working metallurgical residues was recovered – the largest to date on an early medieval site in Ireland, together with a significant assemblage of early medieval and post medieval artefacts. Manufacturing evidence of bone objects, including discs or beads was also recovered in numbers, along with bone combs, leather working and fine metal production, dating from the 8 / 9th century. Metal, stone, ceramic and bone tools, personal items and even a musical instrument were also recovered from various periods. Archaeological features excavated on this site included 2 large enclosure ditches, several other linear ditches, a rectangular structure of timber or cob wall construction (possibly representing a workshop), 24 smithing hearths and iron working features, 4 cereal drying kilns, 2 wells, a juvenile inhumation, cobbled surface and the early water course, along with number refuse pits, postholes, furrows, field boundary and drainage ditches. Ecclesiastical occupation activity commenced in the early 6th century AD, and continued through to the mid 9th century, after which the site appeared to go into decline. Agricultural activity was evidenced across the excavated area throughout medieval period, although historically the church appears to continue in use. Settlement and metal working evidence reappeared in the 17/18th century with residual activity continuing up to the twentieth century. A suite of 13 radiocarbon determinations was achieved from 15 samples submitted. Analysis of the charcoal, paleo-botanical and macro faunal assemblage suggested an open landscape, with mixed arable and animal husbandry typical of the respective periods. The four kilns on this site were most commonly used for drying barley, wheat and rye. Metal- working residue, weighing 1.5 tonnes, was extracted from 4 tonnes of iron ore waste. Analysis of this assemblage yielded evidence of large scale complex iron smithing, brazing of hand bells and fine bronze – working activity. This assemblage is considered greatly significant and recommended to be retained by the specialist. Burial evidence included a single juvenile inhumation and 58 disarticulated human bone fragments. These revealed an age profile from neonate to adult, suggesting a Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) of six and information on nutrition and disease. Excavation of this site revealed artefacts and evidence considered to be of national significance, and was subsequently placed, by the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, on the Register of Historic Monuments in January 2009 (Serial No. 1/2009). This report constitutes a final report for this excavation (Registration No. E2723). No further mitigation for this development is recommended. Full Publication of the results is proposed for 2010, a number of journal articles have been published to date. Artefacts will be sent to the National Museum of Ireland, for long-term storage. Archival storage of the paper record, photography and digital data files will be undertaken by Valerie J Keeley Ltd., head offices in Brehon House, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.