County: Dublin Site name: BUSTYHILL
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 20:10 Licence number: 04E0134
Author: Robert O'Hara
Site type: Testing
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 698623m, N 725848m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.273783, -6.521333
RMP 20:10 in Bustyhill townland is located on the eastern slopes of an extensive and prominent rise that affords the site clear views to the north, south and east. It is marked on the 1843 OS 6-inch map as a 'cave, now filled in', and, while it has been included in published discussions of souterrains in Dublin, the possible monument has never previously been investigated and no structural details exist.
Nine test-trenches (totalling in excess of 450 linear metres) were mechanically excavated at the location of the possible monument but failed to locate evidence of significant archaeological remains. A post-medieval field boundary and associated instances of burning, field drains and isolated occurrences of fire-spots, post-holes and shallow pit features of unknown date were recorded within the excavated trenches. The site does not contain a souterrain at the location indicated in the RMP.
The cave probably represented a small quarry (many of which are to be found in the locality) or perhaps only a test hole for a quarry.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
