County: Dublin Site name: CARRICKMINES GREAT
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 96E0236
Author: Anne Connolly, Archaeological Services Unit Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 721724m, N 724628m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.258030, -6.175619
Archaeological investigation and monitoring were carried out by the writer on behalf of Valerie J. Keeley Ltd, Archaeological Consultancy, as part of the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Carrickmines Shanganagh Main Drainage Scheme. The Drainage Scheme involved the installation of sewerage pipes from Shanganagh to Merville Pumping Station and Cabinteely Pumping Station. Work commenced on this scheme in March 1996.
On 31 July 1996, the National Monuments Service were informed that works were being carried out in close proximity to Carrickmines Castle (SMR 26:5) and that an unclassified stone feature had been identified along the land-take. An archaeological assessment for the area was subsequently undertaken, one of the requirements of which was the employment of an archaeologist to monitor topsoil-stripping and the excavation of trenches to accommodate the proposed sewer.
A further requirement stated that trial-trenching, monitored by a licensed archaeologist, was to take place along the route of the proposed pipeline, adjacent to Carrickmines Castle. In the course of this trenching two concentrations of burnt material were identified. Upon further investigation, one of the burnt areas was found to be disturbed and most likely redeposited at that site from another location. The finds from this area consisted of post-medieval pottery, bone, glass and clay pipe, none of which were heat-damaged. The second concentration of burnt material appeared to have been burnt in situ. It consisted of heat-damaged granite and charcoal; no artefacts were recovered from the feature.
The trial excavation of the unclassified stone feature revealed it to be a stone-built drain of post-medieval date. No features or artefacts of archaeological significance were uncovered in the course of monitoring of topsoil removal and trenching for sewerage pipes.
Oranmore Industrial Park, Claregalway Rd.. Oranmore, Co. Galway
