2014:041 - 130 Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh, Dublin

A program of test trenching was undertaken at 130 Ranelagh Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 as part of a planning application for the site.

The proposed development area occupies the constraint area for DU018-058, which is listed as the site of a 16th/17th-century house. A previous desktop assessment carried out in 2007 highlights that Cullenswood House is thought to have been located here. Cullenswood House was inhabited by Thomas Ward, a yeoman in the 17th century. It is possibly shown on Rocque’s map of 1760, although the exact position of structures within this map is hard to gauge. The 1837 Ordnance Survey map shows a structure in the western corner of site; however this was removed during the mid-19th century and a new house was constructed that fronted onto Ranelagh Road. Outbuildings are also shown at the rear of the property along the east boundary wall. This house was demolished in the 1970s.

Two trenches were excavated across the site. The demolished remains of the 19th-century house were clearly identified in Trench 1 as indicated by the historic mapping. These remains consisted of some wall foundations and a cellar filled with demolition material. A large pit or ditch was identified in the southern portion of the site, adjacent to the boundary. The fill of this was very sterile and uniform and it was not possible to date the feature. It is possible that it may not be of great antiquity. No remains of the earlier house shown on the first edition OS map were identified. However, it is likely that the majority of the footprint of this structure is located beneath an entrance lane, which forms the western boundary to the site.

With the exception of the remains described above, no other features were identified during the course of testing. In addition, no earlier post-medieval pottery or finds were observed within the topsoil. Whilst it is apparent that the construction of the 19th-century house has impacted upon the site, there is no indication within the area that a 16th- or 17th-century house occupied the area prior to this.

It is probable that excavations associated with the construction of the proposed residential units will have a direct impact on the remains of the 19th-century house and basement. The southern part of the development area will not be subject to large scale excavations, but used as a car parking area. Therefore excavations will be limited within the area of the possible ditch/pit to the removal of topsoil.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow