2003:2099 - GRANGE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, Grange, Dublin

Monitoring was carried out on the extension of a dual carriageway within the Grange Castle International Business Park and also during the installation of a large-scale drainage system within the business park; this particularly involved works around the new Takeda factory site.

During monitoring on the extension to the dual carriageway a single area of archaeological activity was identified. This consisted of an 18th/19thcentury heat-affected area (burnt clay). The dating of the site was based upon the loose compaction of the deposits and associated fragmentary brick remains. Clay-pipe stems and occasional sherds of post-medieval pottery were also recovered from the topsoil throughout the area monitored.

The origin and original function of the heataffected area and other spreads of burnt-brick deposits located throughout the area monitored was not easy to interpret. The black silty deposit was scanned for plant remains and the complete absence of seeds and indeed charcoal of any notable quantity is curious, as it contrasts with the presence of the heat-affected clay, which suggests in situ burning. Initially, it was thought that the deposits related to the presence of a destroyed post-medieval corndrying kiln or limekiln. This interpretation was based upon the requirement for kilns in the local economy in the 18th/19th century; however, again the absence of any residual charred seeds or limey deposits discounts these interpretations and no structures are illustrated on the historic maps (Rocque’s 1760 map, Taylor’s 1816 map and the 1843 first edition of the OS 6-inch series) at the site. It is possible that the deposits relate to field clearance and land improvement in the 18th century—where scrubland was cleared and drained, with resulting bonfires—however, this interpretation fails to resolve the presence of large quantities of red brick in both the field drains and on the subsoil.

The development of Corkagh Demesne and expansion of Grange Castle in the 18th century to the south and east required quantities of building material. It is possible that the area of burning described and recorded above are derived from brick manufacture or the ‘brick clamp process’. This process involved putting wet clay in simple roughtimber moulds piled in a heap. The timber was set ablaze, which resulted in the firing of the bricks. Such a process could lead to the origin of the deposits recorded at this site.

The archaeological issues while monitoring during the installation of a large-scale drainage system were in respect of its proximity to the Grand Canal and to excavated features within the business park. In part, the route crossed through areas that had previously been monitored. The route parallel to the canal was used as a landfill for construction debris in the 1970s. This infilling was approved by South Dublin County Council, as the area was marshy. Monitoring was discontinued in this area. Monitoring within the business park was limited to the area between the canal and the location of the Neolithic house site in Kishogue townland (Excavations 2001, No. 427, 00E0061). The monitoring revealed another substantial brick clamp similar to that found above. No other features or artefacts were identified.

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