County: Dublin Site name: ST OLAF'S CHURCH, Balally
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Claire Cotter
Site type: Church
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 717725m, N 726028m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.271505, -6.235008
A limited archaeological excavation was carried out over a four day period in the grounds of the central Bank of Ireland, about one mile south of Dundrum. The excavation was funded by Bord Gáis and carried out prior to the laying of a gas pipe, along the north side of the proposed Southern Cross motorway.
The foundations of a small rectangular church (see no. 29, Excavations 1990) of unknown date are visible at the site about 10m south of a small stream. The pipeline ran west-east 8.3m south of the church.
A section of a large curvilinear earthwork is visible on a vertical AP taken in 1971. The earthwork may be multivallate and appears to enclose the church and terminate at the stream. A more recent AP taken after the completion of the Central Bank in 1978 shows a smaller arc of this possible enclosure.
Some sources identify Balally with the BALLYVROOLEF listed in the papal bull of 1179 (lit, the place of Olaf- or Amhlaibh in Irish).
Excavation was confined to the pipetrench. A linear strip, 58m in length by 1.15m in width, and centred on the church, was investigated. An additional 60m of open trench adjoining this area was subsequently monitored.
The foundations of two sections of walling were uncovered directly below the sod. The wall was of drystone construction and 1m in width. It had been laid directly on the undisturbed boulder clay and formed the western and southern sides of a rectangular or square structure. No associated cultural layers survived. The enclosure visible on the AP was not located - the area has been landscaped in recent years and it is possible that this activity has removed any surviving remains of this feature.
1 Northbrook Villas, Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
