2005:1730 - Merrymeeting, Wicklow

Testing of a green field site in Merrymeeting townland, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow was undertaken in advance of the construction of Broomhall Business Park in September 2005. The development footprint extended over a sub-rectangular area of c. 2.3ha, measuring 190-210m north-east/south-west by a maximum of 125m.

Thirteen parallel test trenches were excavated, extending east-west across the development area at regular intervals. All trenches were excavated by a 13-ton tracked mechanical digger equipped with a grading bucket to the surface of natural subsoil. No features of archaeological significance were exposed. A total of 67 finds were recovered during the course of testing. The earliest find was a sherd of 18^th-century mottled ware; the remaining finds consisted of two window glass fragments, ten glass bottle fragments, four clay pipe stems, three iron nails and 47 pottery fragments, all of 19^th- or 20^th-century date. No further mitigation was recommended.

Cultural Resource Development Services Ltd., Unit 4, Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14.