County: Dublin Site name: BARNAGEERAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU005-017001 and DU005-017002 Licence number: 04E209 ext.
Author: Christine Baker, Margaret Gowan & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Habitation site
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 722926m, N 760939m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.583900, -6.143466
This site in Barnageeragh, Skerries, Co. Dublin, is within a rich archaeological landscape. A field-walking survey of the plough zone was undertaken in December 2003 and an assessment of the site of the proposed treatment works, which measures c. 130m north-south by 270m, was carried out in February 2004. Monitoring was carried out for a period of two weeks, from 24 November 2004, when archaeological features were identified in the south-west quadrant of the site. The area measured 35m east-west by 15m and excavation took place from 20 December 2004 to 14 January 2005.
Twenty features were identified and can be divided into relatively contemporary ditches, pits, spreads and possible slot-trenches. Three curvilinear ditches formed the focus of the site, a U-shaped enclosure c. 10m in internal diameter. This was further defined by a linear extension with a rounded terminal that extended north-westwards for approximately 14.5m. Nine pits were identified, four (F1–F4) of which formed a focus to the west of the ditches. A pit (F15) was the single internal feature within the enclosure. While no diagnostic artefacts were retrieved, the proximity of the site to two cairns (SMR 5:16, 5:17), a fulacht fiadh (SMR 5:58) and several flint scatters (SMR 5:60, 5:17(02)) indicates a prehistoric origin. A definitive date will have to await a radiocarbon determination.
27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
