1997:090 - LEIXLIP WATERWORKS, COOLDRINAGH AND BACKWESTON PARK, Dublin

Leixlip Waterworks is located on the southern bank of the River Liffey, opposite the town of Leixlip. It is situated in County Dublin, the river acting as a county boundary in this general area. The site occupies a strip of land which generally runs from Leixlip Bridge to the M4 motorway. Most of the site is located in Cooldrinagh Td, with a portion of the western area located in the townland of Backweston Park. The general terrain of the site is a slope down towards the river, although a number of level terraces were created during previous construction works. Furthermore, the site is the location of the Leixlip hydroelectric station. The area to the west of this plant was dammed and flooded in the late 1940s and today serves as a reservoir for both the waterworks and the electricity station.

The town of Leixlip has its origins in the early Anglo-Norman period, although there may have been settlement there in pre-Norman times. Furthermore, it is speculated that a small Viking settlement may have been situated in the general area of the waterworks site. It is widely accepted that the general region of Leixlip served as part of the western boundary of the Dublin Vikings' area of control, although, to date, no evidence of Viking settlement has been found there. However, a ringed pin and pin brooch of early medieval date were recovered from a barrow excavated by Clare Mullins in Cooldrinagh (Excavations 1995, 12, 95E039). The barrow was located within the confines of the waterworks site and the material suggests the possibility of early medieval activity in the general vicinity of the site, although previous monitoring work associated with Stage 1 of the construction project, undertaken by Breandán Ó Ríordáin, did not uncover any further evidence.

An archaeological assessment associated with Stage 2 of the project recommended a programme of trial-trenching in three distinct 'greenfield' areas of the site, and that all topsoil-stripping be undertaken under the supervision of an archaeologist.

Trial-trenching was undertaken at the site from 17 to 26 February. Three distinct areas, A1–3, were evaluated by means of mechanical excavator. No features or structures were uncovered in any of the tested areas and no finds were recovered from A1 or A3. However, a number of sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from A2, as well as a number of clay pipe fragments which appear to date from the early 18th century.

All topsoil-stripping associated with construction works and the provision of services in the western part of the site were monitored during the period June–September. No features or structures were encountered during the course of this work. However, a number of sherds of medieval and post-medieval pottery, as well as two bronze stick-pins of medieval date, were recovered from a pipe trench (A4).

Monitoring of Areas 1 and 2 was subsequently undertaken by Clare Mullins, the results of which are discussed in Excavations 1997 (No. 91), and further monitoring at the site will be undertaken during 1998.

39 Kerdiff Park, Monread, Naas, Co. Kildare