2011:637 - CRONROE/BALLINALEA/MILLTOWN NORTH/MILLTOWN SOUTH/BALLYBEG/BALLYMERRIGAN/MERRYMEETING/BROOMHALL, Wicklow

Monitoring was carried out along the Broomhall to Cronroe pipeline scheme, constructed as part of the Wicklow Water Supply Scheme. The pipeline was for the most part confined to the existing road network, although some greenfield was crossed by the pipeline close to the existing Cronroe Treatment Plant. Nothing of archaeological significance was identified in this area.

No other archaeological features were identified, with the exception of a late 18th- or early 19th-century bridge that once crossed a mill-race within the townland of Milltown South and is marked on the historic maps, although it had not been identified in an earlier assessment. Both ends of the bridge had been blocked up when the race went out of use and it was turned into a drainage feature and incorporated in the existing road. The top of the bridge arch was identified c. 0.8m below the existing ground level during the excavation of the pipeline trench. It was impossible to avoid the feature, and a small portion of the arch was removed and the pipe laid across the supporting walls (imposts). The majority of the feature was preserved in situ, with the removed section preserved by record. The presence of the bridge was previously unknown but its position has also been recorded by Wicklow County Council engineers, as it is located beneath a roadway in use.

The programme of works also involved the monitoring of the removal and reinstatement of a section of demesne wall associated with Cronroe House (Bel-Air Hotel). The wall was dismantled by hand and, once the pipeline had been inserted, was reconstructed using the original stone. The original coursing pattern was also replicated. The removal and reconstruction of the wall were recorded as part of the monitoring brief.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow