CASE STUDY
Dowth Hall Survey
The Project
Aerial was tasked with completing a comprehensive LiDAR survey of Dowth Hall, Co. Meath, spanning an extensive 700-hectare area. The objective was to capture high-resolution geospatial data that could be used for a variety of purposes, including archaeological research, ecological monitoring, and long-term land management. The survey required careful planning and execution, as the site contained diverse terrain, mature vegetation, and heritage features that needed to be recorded with precision.
To achieve this, our team carried out multiple flight sessions using advanced LiDAR scanning technology. The flights were conducted at an altitude of 100m with overlapping swaths to ensure full coverage, producing a dense dataset averaging around 150 points per square metre with sub-10cm accuracy . Alongside the LiDAR point cloud, digital surface models (DSM) and digital terrain models (DTM) were generated at 10cm resolution, allowing both above-ground vegetation and the underlying ground features to be studied in detail. The project was designed not just to capture raw data, but to create a resource that could unlock hidden insights across archaeology, ecology, and planning.
Project Overview
Client: Devenish
Location: Dowth, County Meath
Purpose: Lidar Scans of vegetation on large 700 hectares site
The Results
The Dowth Hall survey produced a detailed and versatile dataset that exceeded expectations. Deliverables included a classified LiDAR point cloud, DSM and DTM layers, and clear 3D visualisations of the landscape. These assets enabled vegetation and hedgerow networks to be accurately extracted and measured, providing new insights for ecological and environmental studies. At the same time, the data revealed subtle archaeological features, offering a valuable perspective for heritage research.
The combination of precision, scale, and visual clarity gave the client a reliable geospatial foundation for future planning and analysis. The results not only documented the site as it exists today but also provided a tool for uncovering and understanding features that would otherwise remain hidden.
