2007:428 - KILDARE RAIL ROUTE PROJECT, Section 1, Ballyfermot to Cappagh, Dublin

Testing was carried out in advance of the construction phase of the Kildare route project railway line. The project will involve upgrading the Dublin to Cork railway track and has been divided by Iarnród Éireann into three subsections. The testing programme carried out under this licence dealt specifically with Sections 1 and 3 of the railway scheme. Section 1 is located in County Dublin and runs from Ballyfermot to Cappagh, while Section 3 is located in County Kildare and runs from Stacumny Cottage to Dangan (see No. 861, Excavations 2007). A total of fourteen compound areas and two car-parking areas were tested as part of this assessment. Eight compounds (1A–1H) and one carpark (Fonthill) were located along Section 1, while six compounds (3A–3F) and one carpark (Hazelhatch) were located along Section 3. The testing results for Section 1 of the railway scheme are detailed below. Where possible, the trenching layout consisted of a centre-line with alternating 90-degree offsets located at 15m intervals. The trenches measured 1.8–2m in width and were excavated to the surface of archaeological deposits or the underlying substrata, whichever was encountered first.

Compounds 1A and 1B, Gallenstown, 30902 23290
The proposed site for Compounds 1A and 1B consists of a linear strip of lawn area beside Cherry Orchard train station. Three test-trenches were excavated at this location. These revealed that the area had been considerably disturbed in the recent past, possibly when the surrounding housing estates were built or during works associated with Cherry Orchard station. Deep deposits of modern material (1.6m), containing plastic, iron and rubble, were found directly overlying natural boulder clay and no features of archaeological interest were noted.

Compound 1C, Gallenstown, 30788 23283
The proposed site for Compound 1C consists of a rectangular area of disturbed ground located c. 100m to the north of the railway line. The site is bounded by modern roads on the west and north and waste ground on the south and east. The compound area measures 90m south-east/north-west by 60m. Testing was restricted to four short test-trenches due the presence of live services (water and telecommunication) and extensive stockpiles of clay. Although limited in extent, the test-trenches revealed that the site was extensively disturbed, with modern stone filling sitting directly on natural boulder clay. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were identified in any of the test-trenches opened.

Compound 1D, Gallenstown, 30778 232730
The proposed site for Compound 1D consists of an area of waste ground bounded by the railway line to the south, the M50 to the west and further waste ground to the north and east. The compound area measures c. 100m east–west by 40m. A 90m-long centre-line and seven perpendicular offsets were excavated here. The test-trenches revealed that the site had been severely disturbed in the recent past, possibly when the adjacent M50 roadway was constructed. Modern redeposited clays, up to 1m in depth, were found to directly overlay natural boulder clay and no intact soil horizons were identified in any of the trenches excavated.

Compound 1E, Neilstown, 30650 23266
The proposed site for Compound 1E consists of an area of rough pasture located immediately to the north-west of Clondalkin station. It is bounded on the south by the railway line, on the east by a carpark belonging to the railway station, on the north by a car breakers’ yard and on the west by rough pasture. The site measures c. 85m east–west by 50m. A 75m-long centre-line and six perpendicular offsets were excavated here. These revealed that the northern and western parts of the site were relatively undisturbed, with topsoil directly overlying natural boulder clay. However, the southern and eastern sides of the site were severely disturbed. At these locations deep deposits of modern material, up to 1.6m in depth, were found to overlay natural boulder clay. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were identified in any of the test-trenches opened.

Compound 1F, Cappagh, 30610 23266
The proposed site for Compound 1F consists of an area of rough pasture that is divided into three separate areas by old field boundaries. It is bounded on the south by the railway line, on the east by modern housing, on the north by waste ground and on the east by a new roadway. The compound area measures c. 270m east–west by 25m. Prior to testing it was noted that the site had been used to dump builders’ rubble, rubbish and numerous burnt-out cars. Two centre-lines and fourteen offsets were excavated at this location. These revealed that the site was relatively undisturbed, with topsoil overlying natural boulder clay. The only features identified were a series of north–south-oriented agricultural furrows. The furrows were filled with light-brown silty clays that contained shell, charcoal and sherds of 19th/20th-century ceramics.

Compound 1G, Cappagh, 30600 23266
The proposed site for Compound 1G consists of an area of rough pasture bounded on the south by the railway line, on the east by a new roadway and by rough pasture on the north and west. The site measures c. 85m north–south by 55m. Five test-trenches were excavated here. These revealed that the eastern side of the site was severely disturbed, with modern deposits, up to 1.5m in depth, directly overlying natural boulder clay. This disturbance was probably related to the large number of live services (gas, water and telecommunication) that criss-crossed this area. In contrast, the very western part of the site was relatively undisturbed, with intact topsoil horizons encountered. No features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified in any of the test-trenches opened.

Compound 1H, Cappagh, 30600 23256
The proposed site for Compound 1H consists of an area of rough pasture that is located on the opposite side of the railway tracks to compound 1G. It is bounded on the north by the railway line, on the east by a new roadway and by rough pasture on the north and west. The site measures c. 70m east–west by 45m. Testing here was restricted to two trenches due to the presence of numerous live services (gas, water and telecommunication) along the eastern side of the site. No features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified in either of the test-trenches opened.

Fonthill carpark, Cappagh, 30610 23256
The proposed site for the Fonthill carpark consists of an irregular-shaped field of rough pasture. The site is bounded on the north by the railway line, on the west by a new roadway and by rough pasture on the south and east. A low hillock is located at the northern end of the field. The site measures c. 150m east–west by a maximum of 80m. A 140m-long centre-line and eight perpendicular offsets were excavated here. An extra trench was also excavated along the line of an access road leading into the carpark. The testing revealed that the depth of deposits at the site increases from north to south. In the northern part of the carpark area, especially where the hillock was located, natural boulder clay was sealed by a thin layer of topsoil. However, in the southern part of the site, the original topsoil horizon was sealed by a deep deposit of redeposited natural, which was in turn covered by a thin layer of sod. This suggests that an attempt was made in the recent past to level off the southern part of the site by introducing dumps of clay. No features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified in any test-trenches opened at this location

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