2008:493 - Stephenstown/Folkstown Great, Dublin

Testing was undertaken within possible development lands that have been zoned for industrial use by Fingal County Council at Folkstown Little and Stephenstown. These areas are located to the south of Phase 5 of the Balbriggan Outer Relief Road, which has been subject to testing and excavation (Excavations 2007, No. 445, 07E0836; No. 492, 07E0836 ext., above; No. 459, 08E0053, above; No. 460, 08E0054, above, and No. 457, 08E0055, above). Due to the large amount of archaeological sites discovered during this programme of works, the considerable number of RMP sites located within the immediate surrounding area and the presence of further geophysical anomalies of archaeological potential, further testing work within the zoned lands was considered appropriate. The zoned lands contain parts of the RMP constraints for DU005–001 (chapel) and DU005–052 (souterrain and enclosure).
Area 7
Area 7 consists of an irregular-shaped field under rough pasture, which is adjacent to the south-west of the area containing the probable bivallate ringfort, the outer ditch of which was excavated under licence 07E0836 ext. (see No. 492 above, Area 6). Geophysical survey was carried out in Area 7 and revealed a number of positive anomalies, possibly indicating the presence of a souterrain. The archaeological remains in Area 7 extend over an area measuring c. 60m by 40m in the south-west corner of the field. The features consist of a possible rectangular enclosure, which measures 22m north–south by 20m. A small metalled surface was also uncovered immediately north of the southern edge of the enclosure which indicates the possible presence of internal activity. The discovery of a drystone circular chamber indicates the presence of a possible souterrain within the enclosure, although it may represent a slightly earlier phase of activity. The remains of a linear feature and a possible hearth are located immediately to the east of the possible enclosure and may represent an area an industrial activity directly associated with it.
Area 8
Area 8 consists of a field under rough pasture, which is bounded to the south-east and north-west by mature hedgerows. The archaeological remains extend over an area measuring c. 70m by 50m and are located in the south and south-west areas of the field. The features consist of a 40m-section of the outer enclosing ditch associated with the probable bivallate ringfort located 36m to the south. This ditch was not identified in Areas 7 or 9 and does not appear to enclose the features identified in Area 7. A small curvilinear feature and two linear features were also identified in Area 8 but contained no datable finds. They may represent an earlier phase of activity and may be associated with possible prehistoric activity which was identified during the excavation of Area 6 located 40m to the south-east.
Area 9
Area 9 consists of an irregular-shaped field under rough pasture, located immediately north-east of DU005–001 (site of chapel). This field is bounded on the west by a hedge, and to the south-east by a small stream and hedge. The archaeological remains in Area 9 extend over an area measuring c. 100m by 70m in the northern part of the field and appear to be an extension of the extensive medieval ladder settlement identified in Area 10, although post-medieval deposits were also identified indicating later disturbance. This activity has been truncated by the construction of a driveway, which is associated with the two-storey house located to the immediate north-east of Area 9. The driveway is located between Areas 9 and 10.
Area 10
Area 10 consists of the western portion of two fields under rough pasture, which slopes gently to the west. A section of the distribution road associated with the Balbriggan Outer Relief Road (Phase 5), which was tested by Fintan Walsh under licence 07E0836 (Excavations 2007, No. 445), borders this area to the east. This field was bounded to the west by a road and on the south by the driveway associated with the two-storey house located to the south-east. The presence of drystone walls, pits, deposits, hearths, metalled surfaces and boundary ditches indicate the presence of an extensive medieval ladder settlement site adjacent to the road. Due to the limited structural remains that were exposed during testing, it was difficult to establish the exact layout and nature of the structures. Many of the features were also heavily truncated by later post-medieval and modern agricultural activity. The presence of late 12th- to mid-14th-century pottery in most of the features uncovered indicates that the activity within this area is broadly contemporary.
Area 11
Area 11 consists of the north-east section of three fields under pasture, which are located between two sections of the distribution road and adjacent to the area which has been tested under the excavation licence 07E0836 (Excavations 2007, No. 445). The activity uncovered in Area 11 appears to represent an isolated area of medieval activity which measured c. 40m by 40m. The recovery of several sherds of late 12th- to mid-14th-century pottery indicates that these features are broadly contemporary with the medieval activity located in Area 10.