County: Dublin Site name: O’Briens Lane, Oldtown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU007–022 Licence number: 06E0913
Author: Emer Dennehy, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd, 27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 711259m, N 754019m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.524344, -6.322033
An impact assessment of the site on O’Briens Lane was undertaken on behalf of Fingal County Council due to its location within the zone of archaeological potential for an earthwork ‘site’. According to the RMP files, human remains were identified within a ‘rath’ in Oldtown. Given the fact that human remains were identified, it is more probable that the site in question is the remains of a prehistoric barrow than a ringfort. Five test-trenches were excavated within the eastern portion of the site. A distinct fall in the land was noted in this location and testing indicated this is the remains of an eroded streambed rather than an archaeological feature. This is confirmed through the heavy occurrence of iron-panned and leached clay. A possible pond was noted upslope within Trench 5 measuring 25.5m in diameter. No features or stratigraphy of an archaeological nature were identified within the test area.
