2010:286 - OLD CONNAUGHT, Dublin

Testing was undertaken in order to study the impact on the potential archaeological resource along the route of the proposed Luas line B2. The test area is located within the townland of Old Connaught, Co. Dublin, to the immediate west and south-west of a slip road from the N11. It is currently proposed to locate a Luas stop, ‘Old Conna Stop’, in the site of the test area. The test area once formed part of the demesne associated with Old Connaught House.

Testing followed on from a geophysical survey carried out by Target Archaeological Geophysics during 2008 (licence 08R0380), which identified three areas of archaeological potential (Areas 4A–4C). Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded in any of the areas of archaeological potential highlighted in the geophysical survey. Any features recorded in these areas were agricultural or non-archaeological features of relatively modern date.

A burnt spread, which measured 11m x 11m, located at the south end of the proposed stop platform and within the area of the proposed route of the rail track, was recorded in TT–15 as Old Connaught 1. If the scheme goes ahead as proposed, it will have a negative impact on the burnt spread. In this event, it was recommended that a 21m x 21m area be mechanically stripped around the burnt spread at Old Connaught 1 and all the features identified be fully excavated by hand prior to the development works.