2010:841 - IDA Lands, Killincarrig, Wicklow

Excavation at Killincarrig, Greystones was carried out in advance of the construction of a distributor road for an IDA business park. Three phases of fieldwork took place between 22 February and 27 May 2010.
An assessment, which included a geophysical survey and archaeological testing, was carried out on foot of a planning condition (see No. 840 above).
Three phases of activity were identified at Killincarrig.
The focus of the early Neolithic activity was a structure at the northern limits of the excavation made up of a foundation slot-trench, seven post-holes and ten stake-holes. It is believed that more of this structure lies outside of the area of excavation to the north. The exact form of this structure is unclear.
Another group of post-holes was excavated to the west of this structure. These appear to have been part of a further structure but again its form is unclear and further features may still lie outside of the area of excavation to the north. It is believed to be early Neolithic due to its proximity to the other structure, although none of the post-holes contained any dating evidence and the construction style appears to be very different, with no foundation trench present. The structures are believed to have been houses due to the high quantity of features containing domestic material found to the south of them.
These features were made up of pits and post-holes. The post-holes did not appear to have been part of a structure. The purpose of the pits is unclear. Further features were excavated at the east of the site, including pits, post-holes, a stake-hole, a hearth and a number of spreads. Although some of these features are thought to be related to one another due to their proximity, their purpose is unclear. They are thought to be a result of domestic activity related to the structures. Early Neolithic pottery and flints were found in many of these features and so all are considered to be from this period. Two further early Neolithic pits were excavated at the south-west of the site. One appeared to have held a post at its northern end. It is unclear what phase of activity three further features to the north of these features were from.
A single early/middle Bronze Age pit was excavated at the north of Area A between the two structures outlined above. Other features in the area may also be early/middle Bronze Age in date, but it is unclear which, if any, are.
A single late Iron Age/early medieval hearth was excavated towards the south-west of Area A. Three features near to this hearth, including another hearth, may be related, although they may also be related to the early Neolithic activity recorded around the site.
Further undated features, including a hearth, pits, post-holes and stake-holes, were excavated in Area B. The hearth had post- and stake-holes at its north-east and south-west sides and appeared to have been used for cooking or other domestic activities.
Additional testing was carried out by Fintan Walsh beyond the wayleave of the proposed road in order to assess the extent of the archaeological features (see No. 842 below).