Monknewton

Monknewtown (Irish: Baile Nua na Manach, meaning "new town of the monks"), historically called Rathenskin, is a townland 3 km east of Slane in County Meath, Ireland. It stands on the Mattock River, which feeds several historic watermills nearby.

It also stands on the northern edge of the Neolithic monument complex of Brú na Bóinne which includes the famous site of Newgrange

Two Neolithic sites connected with Monknewtown are the nearby "ritual pond" and henge.

The pond probably dates to the later Neolithic, being a later addition to the complex, and consists of a 2m high earth bank that creates a 30m diameter enclosure that is filled with water.

The site may have played a preliminary or final role in prehistoric activities connected with the tombs and other ritual sites to the south.

Sources

Lewis-Williams, D and Pearce, D, Inside the Neolithic Mind, Thames and Hudson, London, 2005, ISBN 0-500-05138-0