County: Dublin Site name: BALLYMASTONE AND CORBALLIS
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06E0027
Author: Christine Baker, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 723888m, N 749909m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.484604, -6.133310
This assessment constituted Phase I of a programme to test the veracity of geophysical survey results (J. Leigh, 05R102). The study area (120ha) was located to the north-east, east and south of Donabate, Co. Dublin, within the lands of Ballymastone and Corballis and was subject to the Donabate Local Action Area Plan. Phase I specifically addressed a proposed road-take which traversed (from north to south) the townlands of Ballalease North, Ballalease South, Ballymastone, Portrane Ballisk (Ballymastone lands), Donabate and Corballis. The total length of the current road-take within the study area was 3.25km and varied from 19m to 54m in width. Within the proposed road-take, Phase I, a total of four areas of geophysical anomaly were identified. A further five areas of geophysical anomaly were identified in proximity to the road-take and were included in this phase of assessment on the basis of informing any adjustment to the current road layout.
A total of fifteen trenches were opened, three by hand. Three anomalies were identified as being of archaeological origin and included a possible prehistoric hut site, burnt-mound material and a fulacht fiadh with associated pits and drains. The former was located at the base of a high ridge, the latter in a low-lying field c. 85m to the east. The remaining geophysical anomalies proved to be modern or reflective of natural soil differentials. Topsoil artefacts were reflective of the natural geology and agricultural practices over centuries, in that naturally occurring field flint, 19th-century pottery and modern glass were recovered.
27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
