2006:705 - Townparks, Skerries, Dublin

Test-trenching was carried out in October 2006 in advance of a proposed construction development at Townparks, Skerries, Co. Dublin. The proposed development area lies to the south of Skerries village, on farmland comprised of c. 11ha. It consisted of eight fields, with a stream running south-east through its centre. The Dublin–Belfast rail line forms its north-east boundary with farmlands forming the surrounding site boundaries. The townland boundary of Townparks and Milverton runs along the south-western and western borders.
A geophysical survey conducted by J.M. Leigh Surveys for ADS Ltd in July 2006 revealed five distinct areas of potential archaeological interest. Test excavation was undertaken at each of the areas identified and a total of eleven trenches were excavated. The subsoil was found at 0.3–0.6m below the soil surface and varied from yellowish sandy clay across most of the low-lying parts of the site to more gravelly sand in the elevated area towards the north-east.
Features of archaeological potential were identified in nine of the eleven trenches. Areas 1–3 were all situated in low-lying land alongside the south-east-running stream which bisected the site. Deposits of burnt stone and charcoal-stained soil, probably associated with burnt mounds or fulachta fiadh, were identified in Trenches 1, 3, 4 and 5 in Areas 1 and 2. No features of archaeological potential were found within Trench 6 in Area 3, with an anomaly identified during geophysical testing being comprised of poorly drained gley soil of natural origin.
Three trenches were excavated in Area 4, located at the south-east end of the site. A large number of linear and curvilinear features were identified in this area, indicating the presence of at least one large circular or D-shaped enclosure, as well as a number of broadly north–south-running ditches, both within and outside the main enclosure. Fragments of animal bone and areas of in situ burning were noted within these probable ditch fills. Evidence for the presence of a former watercourse was also noted at the west end of this area.
Two trenches were excavated in Area 5 at the north-east side of the site on a north–south-sloping ridge of sandy gravel subsoil. These trenches produced evidence for a system of north–south- and east–west-aligned linear features, probably contemporary and of pre-modern date, perhaps representing former field divisions. Several ephemeral deposits were also noted, probably representing agricultural furrows of unknown date.