County: Dublin Site name: Clonshagh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 13E0355
Author: Fintan Walsh
Site type: Possible enclosure and kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 719426m, N 741950m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.414140, -6.203520
A geophysical survey was carried out within the proposed development area in March and April 2013 and April 2014 and this was followed by Phase 1 archaeological test trenching in August and October 2014 and February 2015. Nothing of archaeological significance was identified during the first phase of testing. However, due to the proposed expansion of the site (from 23ha to 30ha), additional testing (Phase 2) was carried out in January and May of 2016.
One potential enclosure was identified during the geophysical survey in the northern section of the proposed development area. This was targeted in the Phase 2 testing. A possible ditch was identified in proximity to the eastern side of the enclosure (C100), although the ditch was on a different alignment to the geophysical anomaly. On investigation, the ditch filled rapidly with water and as such a full assessment of its significance could not be carried out.
A further feature of archaeological potential was identified in the north-eastern section of the proposed development area. This consisted of two oval features connected by a slot feature (C101). The southern pit measured 4m north-south by 1m and was 0.25m deep. The slot was aligned roughly north-south and measured 5.5m in length with a width of 0.2m and a depth of 0.1m. The northernmost pit measured 2.4m north-south and was 1.3m wide. All of the features contained one charcoal-rich fill and appeared to be contemporary to one another. This was interpreted as a kiln.
No other features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during the Phase 2 testing.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
