County: Dublin Site name: Kilgobbin
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 14E0359
Author: Gill McLoughlin
Site type: Undated enclosure, prehistoric pits, charcoal spread
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 719902m, N 724503m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.257319, -6.202969
Pre-planning testing was carried out on behalf of Park developments in Kilgobbin, Co. Dublin in relation to a proposed residential development and followed an EIS and geophysical survey.
The main purpose of the assessment was to attempt to establish the location of the Pale defences, the remains of which are located both to the west (DU026-087) and to the east (DU026-115) of the proposed development site. Anomalies identified in the 2008 and 2014 geophysical surveys were also tested along with the vicinity of a recorded section of the Pale boundary in the west of the site in order to inform planning in relation to a flood compensation zone.
In total 18 test trenches were excavated within the proposed development area. 15 test trenches were excavated over four days from 1 September 2014 and an additional three trenches were excavated on 15 October 2014. Four areas of archaeological interest were identified and it was also possible to discount the field boundary to the north of the Ballyogan stream as being part of the Pale boundary. The more southerly boundary was tested in the location where the development proposals will have an impact, and the boundary was found to be disturbed in this location. As such the testing of this boundary was inconclusive as to whether it was part of the pale defences or not. Based on previous testing to the west (Bolger 2000), this boundary appears to be a natural scarp but it is possible that it was utilised as part of the Pale defences.
Area 1 is located in the north of the development area (ITM 720009/724594) and consists of what appeared to be an isolated pit. The presence of a saddle quern fragment in the fill may indicate a nearby prehistoric habitation of which no further trace has yet been identified.
Area 2 includes features identified across three trenches (ITM 719802/724290). The main concentration of activity comprised a cluster of four pits, one of which yielded a rim sherd of prehistoric pottery. A single pit containing charcoal and burnt bone and a spread of charcoal-rich soil were uncovered in two other trenches. It is possible that the features in Area 2 may belong to a larger concentration of activity.
Area 3 is located in the south-east of the development area (ITM 720106/724063) and comprises a substantial curvilinear ditch which was indicated in the geophysical survey and extends beyond the development area to the south-east. A section excavated across the ditch was 3.05m wide x 1.15m deep and contained eight fills, most of which contained animal bones. This ditch is likely to represent an enclosure with an estimated diameter of approximately 50m. No dateable finds were recovered from the test section.
Area 4 is located in a low lying area in the west of the development area (ITM 719747/724626). A spread of charcoal-rich material was identified, measuring 12m x 9m x 0.2m deep and a copper-alloy penannular ring with expanded terminals was recovered from a test section of the deposit.
Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy, Lynwood House, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16
