County: Dublin Site name: MALAHIDE DEMESNE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU012-029, DU012-030, DU012-031 (001, 002, 003, 004, 005, 006) Licence number: C451, E4381
Author: Eoin Halpin and Garrett Sheehan
Site type: Medieval, post-medieval
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 721673m, N 745367m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.444322, -6.168426
Malahide Demesne contains sites, buildings and features listed on the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH). Planning permission was granted for an extensive restoration, upgrade and new construction project at Malahide Castle, Courtyards and Botanic Garden. As part of these works the cricket pitches to the north of the Castle are also being upgraded. The upgrade will involve the construction of an ODI outfield, the renovation of a second ground and the insertion of an attenuation tank.
A geophysical survey was carried out on the cricket pitch under licence 10R070. The survey revealed a series of responses indicative of potential archaeological features. A detailed gradiometer and resistance survey was then undertaken at the south-eastern end of the cricket pitch. The areas of archaeological potential identified by the geophysical survey were investigated by means of hand excavation.
A series of linear ditches, curvilinear slot-trenches and pits were excavated, revealing evidence of possible structural remains, domestic occupation and agricultural/landscaping activity. The majority of the linear features excavated have been identified as drainage gullies and field boundaries of post-medieval date. Other features comprise two curvilinear slots or gullies, a metalled surface and ten widely dispersed pits, of varying form, containing charcoal-stained soils, medieval pottery and possible prehistoric lithic material.
Archaeological Development Services Ltd, The Print House, 22–23 South Cumberland Street, Dublin 2
