2006:682 - Ballynakelly/Rathcreedan, Newcastle, Dublin

Testing was carried out at the site of a proposed hotel development in Newcastle, Co. Dublin, as part of a pre-planning assessment. The proposed development lies c. 1km to the south-east of the historic centre of Newcastle village (DU020–003/DU021–017), south of the R120 (Newcastle Road to N7, Naas Road). The extreme eastern side of the proposed development lies in the townland of Rathcreedan, whereas the remainder lies in the townland of Ballynakelly.
Twenty-four anomalies were highlighted during a geophysical survey carried out by Earthsound Ltd using magnetic gradiometer and earth resistance survey. A testing programme was compiled based on the results of the geophysical survey and the initial desktop assessment. The testing programme was designed to test the geophysical anomalies and to generally test the proposed development in the areas where no geophysical response had been attained.
Twelve trenches were excavated across the proposed development site. Eleven additional trenches were excavated during the course of the testing programme to clarify results. Seventeen features were identified representing three areas of archaeological interest and five possible features.
Area 1 is located in the north-west of the development. A possible burnt mound was identified in the northern end of Trench 3. Additional trenches (T3c and T3d) were opened up to clarify the extent of the feature. The burnt spread measured 7.5m in length south-west/north-east by 5.5m. Plough furrows truncate the southern side of the feature. A sondage was dug into the edge and it showed a charcoal-rich fill mixed with a large amount of fire-shattered stones. Another possible disturbed burnt mound (Feature 4) was identified 5m south-east of the first. Patches of charcoal-rich silty clay and fire-shattered stones were visible for 14.5m. Plough furrows heavily truncate this feature. The full extent of the feature was not exposed. These burnt spreads were identified as an area of burning on the geophysical survey where they cover an area of 302m.
Area 2 is located in the central south-west of the development. Three possible pits (Features 7–9) and three possible post-holes (Features 10a–c) were identified in the eastern side of the area. A possible pit (Feature 11), a linear feature (Feature 6) and a possible post-hole (Feature 5) were identified in the western side of the area. This activity may represent an area of possible habitation or other activity in the past.
Area 3 is located in the south of the development. An oval-shaped pit (Feature 16) was identified. It measured 1.8m north–south by 1.2m. A section 0.2m wide was excavated through it, showing a broad U-shaped profile with a concave base and a depth of 0.3m. The pit was filled with a brownish-grey silty clay with frequent amounts of charcoal. Two additional trenches were excavated in the vicinity (Trenches 12a and 12b); no additional features were identified.
Five isolated potential features (Features 1, 12–15) were identified throughout the development. Most were visible as patches of burning or as linear features. It is possible that these features may represent modern patches of sporadic burning.