2002:0608 - KILGOBBIN/NEWTOWN LITTLE, Dublin

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping took place between 1 July and 29 November 2002 in the townlands of Newtown Little and Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin. The lands comprise a 19.6ha site that is being developed for mixed residential use. The site, used for pasture before the start of development works, is generally bounded by Enniskerry Road to the south-west, by Kilgobbin Lane and Lansdowne/Old Wesley Rugby Club to the south and south-east, and by Kilgobbin stream and Sandyford Hall housing estate to the north. Topsoil-stripping was monitored along the internal road network joining the new roundabout at Enniskerry Road, along the wayleave of associated services south of Kilgobbin stream, and in an area reserved for the construction of residential buildings.

Two sites of archaeological interest lie near the development site: an enclosure in Woodland (SMR 22:69) and Kilgobbin ecclesiastical remains (SMR 25:16). The protected area forming the settlement of Kilgobbin (SMR 25:17, 26:121(01)) is partially included in the proposed development. Within this zone lie Kilgobbin Castle (SMR 25:17(01)) and Oldtown House, a former inn (SMR 25:17(02)). This area was subject to separate archaeological investigation (No. 605, Excavations 2002, 02E1173). During the monitoring, three areas of archaeological interest were uncovered, which were excavated under separate licences (Nos 606 and 607, Excavations 2002, 02E1196 and 02E1220, and No. 638, Excavations 2002, 02E1104).

The lands, on the lower southern slopes of Three Rock Mountain, slope gently toward Kilgobbin stream. Low, natural terraces occur alongside Enniskerry Road, overlooking the sloping ground and the stream valley. Several areas of wetland occur both near the stream and along the sloping ground. A large number of drains were uncovered during the monitoring works, and some of these belong to a phase of land drainage dating to the mid-19th century. Several areas of rock were also present, with outcropping granite boulders occurring in large numbers throughout the site, except near the stream. Although some attempts have been made to remove stones from the fields, no evidence of ploughing was uncovered along the slopes. A comparison of the 1843 and 1875 OS 6-inch maps shows that a large tract of land was reclaimed along the central and western parts of the site. Some field boundaries and a small structure in the north-west were also removed during this period.

Field boundaries
Most of the present field boundaries in the area contain both earth and stone, and there is evidence of stone facing, particularly along the townland boundary between Newtown Little and Kilgobbin. Where breached in the south, this boundary measured 6m in overall width. The earthen bank (3m wide) was accompanied by a ditch, 3m wide and 0.9m deep, in the south-west. The bank of redeposited, yellow/brown, dry, compact, sandy clay stood 0.8m above the field surface and 1.8m above the base of the ditch. A further boundary, oriented north–south, on the northern side of the site and joining onto Kilgobbin stream, comprised two earthen banks with an intervening waterlogged ditch (2.4m wide). Both banks were flat topped; the western bank was 2.8m wide and 0.8m high, and the eastern was 1.4m wide and 0.4m high.

Agricultural activity
Two further possible boundary ditches were uncovered in the north-eastern part of the site, in the vicinity of the stream. Both were revealed at 0.25–0.3m below the topsoil and were 1.7–2m wide. These were associated with several cultivation furrows, oriented north–south and 0.4–0.65m wide. All features produced artefacts dating to the late 18th/early 19th century.

Land drains
Many cobble and French drains, some of which were still active, were uncovered during the removal of topsoil. In most cases the stone fill was exposed immediately below the topsoil, at a depth of 0.1–0.35m. The French drains along Enniskerry Road were considerably deeper, the stones being exposed at 0.6–1.2m below present ground level. The host trench was on average 0.45m wide; the stone drain was 0.45m high; and the covering layer of redeposited gravelly clay was 0.4m deep. Cobble drains along the stream and the townland boundary were 0.5–0.6m wide and 0.4m deep, and the host trench was filled with tightly packed, small to medium-sized granite boulders. The French drains near the stream were 0.5–1m wide and up to 0.8m deep. Angular granite boulders were used for the side stones and were capped by large, flat, granite slabs. Artefacts dating to the 18th and 19th centuries were retrieved from most of these features.

Modern disturbance
Two areas of modern disturbance were encountered, both related to farm access to the fields. The first was a layer of compacted gravel at a gap in a field boundary. The second area was at a gap in the field boundary bordering Kilgobbin Castle House in the west. A farm track adjoins this area, providing access from Kilgobbin Road in the east. The area exposed in the pipe corridor measured c. 15m east–west by 5m and consisted of dumped building material 0.4–0.45m deep. The dumped material included brick, mortar, tiles and wooden planks.

Artefacts
A small amount of medieval pottery was retrieved during the monitoring, including Leinster cooking ware, Dublin-type ware and local ware. The vast bulk, however, dated to the early modern period and comprised pottery, including stoneware, creamware, pearlware, black-glazed red earthenware, china and shell-edged ware.

2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin