County: Dublin Site name: RIVER GRIFFEEN, Lucan
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 02D025, 02R041
Author: Rex Bangerter, The Archaeological Diving Company Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 703217m, N 735359m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.358354, -6.449395
Visual inspection, magnetometry and EDM-based survey of impact areas took place before the River Griffeen Flood Alleviation Scheme. The assessment area extended from King John’s Bridge (30401 23430) to the river’s point of confluence with the River Liffey (30330 23235).
The river flows through various zones of archaeological sensitivity: King John’s Bridge (SMR 17:18) and Lucan village (SMR 17:19), a borough settlement during the medieval period. In addition to the sites listed in the village area, Lucan retains a series of post-medieval/early modern features, including Vesey Bridge (1771), Main Street Canal and two stone-built weirs on either side of Vesey Bridge. Further sites identified were a drystone wall/revetment and a single-course weir in the vicinity of Adamstown Bridge.
No material of archaeological significance was recovered; modern debris scatters accounted for the high frequency of magnetometry hits observed. Moreover, the solid nature of the riverbed, coupled with fast-flowing water and winter flooding, has resulted in a very poor holding content. Portable objects and small archaeological artefacts are unlikely to be retained in this environment.
Brehon House, Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
