County: Dublin Site name: BALROTHERY: Lusk Road
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02E0043
Author: Judith Carroll, Judith Carroll & Co. Ltd, 13 Anglesea Street, Dublin 2.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 719980m, N 760924m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.584449, -6.187929
An assessment, including testing, was carried out at the pre-planning stage for this site at Balrothery, Co. Dublin, to the south of the housing estate of Knightswood Park. The area comprises two large fields on either side of the road running to the south of Balrothery village.
Fifteen long trenches were cut over this large area. Some features of archaeological significance came to light in two areas. Area A was in the north-west corner of the site, closest to the area of archaeological activity centred in and around Balrothery village. Area B was the highest point of the site and was situated in both fields, near the south end of the site.
Twenty-five features were identified during testing. Of these, two areas can be defined as having a greater concentration. Area A (encompassing Trenches 12–15) has the most significant concentration and therefore holds the highest potential for further archaeological remains. Though not fully uncovered, Feature 030 suggests a souterrain, similar to those excavated at Rosepark in 2000–1 (Excavations 2001, No. 334, 99E0155), and may be related to activity in that area.
Similarly, Feature 031 in Trench 15 was not fully exposed in the confines of the trench but is clearly of archaeological significance. An accurate interpret-ation of the feature cannot be given at present, but, given its proximity to Feature 030 and to the archaeological remains discovered at Rosepark, it is possible that the feature is associated with the early medieval activity identified there.
Five other features of archaeological significance were identified in this area and may be post-holes or hearth remains.
One other feature in this area of potential was the remains of a plough furrow, similar to others found in the western field. They are not thought to be archaeologically significant.
The second area of archaeological potential (Area B) lies on the low hill. Nine features were identified in both fields, and all appear to be either pits or post-holes. As with the features identified in Trenches 12–15, there was some evidence of in situ burning. These features were concentrated on top of the hill, with seven in the eastern field and two in the western field. Their spatial arrangement suggests that other archaeological features are likely to exist in the area. The potential for other remains, however, is probably less than that in Area A.
All other features, identified outside the two areas of potential, indicate mainly agricultural activity. Of these, six are the remains of plough furrows, while one other may also be the remains of a furrow. The remaining feature, identified in Trench 8, appears to be of significance. Though isolated, it is significant in that it highlights the potential for other archaeological features across the fields.
In summary, archaeological features were found in Areas A and B. In Area A there is an indication of a high potential for substantial archaeological remains, while in Area B the features are sparse. Outside these areas, only one feature of archaeological significance was identified.
