2008:459 - FOLKSTOWN GREAT (Area 4), Dublin

The excavation of Folkstown Great, Area 4, took place on 4–27 February 2008 on the route of the Balbriggan Outer Relief Road, Phase 5. A possible post-built structure was identified at the site during testing carried out by Fintan Walsh (Excavations 2007, No. 445, 07E0836).

The site consisted of post-holes and associated features, possibly representing two structures. These features were enclosed by two parallel north-east/south-west ditches which may have been contemporary with the possible structures and a north-west/south-east ditch which appeared to correspond with a portion of the townland boundary between Folkstown Little and Folkstown Great as depicted on the first-edition OS map of 1843.

Structure A consisted of a cluster of fifteen post-holes. The shape of this structure was unclear but it is possible that it could have formed a roughly circular shape measuring c. 4.5m by c. 5m. The interpretation of the post-holes as an enclosed space is not entirely convincing and it is possible that they may represent some other sort of activity.

Structure B consisted of a concentration of seventeen post-holes, which appeared to represent a subrectangular structure measuring c. 5.5m north-west/south-east by c. 8.5m.

Finds recovered at the site indicate a medieval date but there is also the possibility that the structures may be prehistoric. No finds were retrieved from within any of the post-holes, and medieval pottery was recovered from the parallel linear ditches. Dating of the possible structures will be reliant on radiocarbon dating of charcoal retrieved from the post-holes.