2014:117 - Ulverton Road, Dalky, Dublin

Archaeological monitoring of groundwork’s on Ulverton Road, Dalkey. Co. Dublin took place between the 1st -15th October 2014. Groundwork’s involved the mechanical excavation of a linear trench, along existing carriageways, measuring 1m deep by 500mm wide for the installation of a 180mm gas main over a distance of 270m. The trench passed within 20m of the Bulloch Castle (RMP DU023-02001). This Tower house survives as a restored building with a three storey central tower overlooking Bullock Harbour. The harbour defences were originally organised by the Cistercians of St. Mary’s Abbey in the medieval period, however the tower was probably built by the Fagan Family. Alderman Richard Fagan was Mayor in 1587-8, and had a grant of the tithes of Dalkey in 1586. It was described as being already "ruinous" in the year 1611. The site was the subject of a sketch by Gabriel Beranger in 1766. Beranger is remembered for his antiquarian sketches of Dublin that have preserved the appearance of many buildings long since lost. The drawing shows the extent of the enclosing walls running alongside Ulverton Road. Typically the exposed stratigraphy consisted of 250mm of reinforced tarmac and road base overlying mid brown, sandy clay subsoil with a moderate amount of small stones and occasional large granite boulders. In particular granite boulders were concentrated near St. Marys Nursing Home at a depth of 400mm and this section necessitated a rock breaker. The trench bypassed a number of modern services; no archaeology was found during the course of the works, nor was there any evidence of earlier fortifications.

Moore Archaeological and Environmental Services , 3 Gort Na Ri, Athenry, Co. Galway