2015:037 - DUBLIN: Phoenix Park, Dublin North City, Dublin

Archaeological monitoring for a linear scheme was carried out in the environs of Phoenix Park at Zoo Road, North Road and White’s Road on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland. The works were near a number of RMP sites including DU018-007001-Deer Park, DU018-00709-Meagalithic structure and DU018-007004-a 16th/17th House. Groundworks typically involved the mechanical excavation of open cut trenches averaging 450mm wide and dug to a depth of 900mm. The majority of the works were carried out on existing carriageways or grass verges. . The stratigraphy below road base and topsoil was relatively uniform consisting of a compact grey brown clay, overlying a sandy clay with gravels and occasional shale beds. Throughout the excavations various services were noted including red brick culverts, French drains backfilled with stone and modern ducts, pipes and cables. The only feature of potential significance was a 3.5m wide ditch found along a verge near the junction of Whites Road and Ordnance Survey Road. This feature visible in section was trowelled back but no finds were recovered. It is likely that this is a 19/20th century drainage ditch.