2015:311 - Phase 1 Infrastructure, Laughanstown and Brenanstown, Dublin

Testing was carried out between October 2015 and March 2016 within the footprint of the proposed Cherrywood Phase 1 Infrastructure, at Laughanstown and Brenanstown, Co. Dublin within the Cherrywood SDZ. It followed on from recommendations made in the Cultural Heritage chapter of the EIS for the development (Tobin 2015) and a geophysical survey (Nicholls 2015, 15R0070). The results were submitted to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in response to Item 1 of a Request for Further Information (Planning Ref.: DZ15A/0758). Approximately 13% (or 3,913 linear metres of trenches) of the available previously undisturbed land was subject to testing at this time. The footprint of the Phase 1 Infrastructure development area comprises of previously disturbed/archaeologically resolved ground (75%) and undeveloped greenfield (25%). This means that c. 78% of the footprint has been subject to archaeological investigation and/or resolution.

Testing was carried out to investigate the archaeological potential of enclosure DU026-006, burnt mound DU026-0165, Military Camp DU026-127, land adjacent to Tully Church and crosses DU026-023001-20, land adjacent to mill and enclosure DU026-080, site of a possible enclosure SAP 1, scattered geophysical anomalies and the remaining greenfield areas. Metal detection (licence ref. 15R0131) of testing spoil identified 10 iron objects which appeared to be modern or post-medieval in date. No evidence for enclosure DU026-006 was identified in any of the trenches within the footprint of the Phase 1 Roads and Infrastructure or the adjacent Beckett Park (separate Licence Ref.: 15E04721). It is possible, however, that heavily denuded remains survive outside of the footprint of the test trenches. If present there may be a moderate direct negative impact on any remains, caused by ground disturbance associated with the proposed development.

The majority of the proposed development footprint within the zone of potential for the military camp DU026-127 has already been disturbed and built-up with the Luas and Tully Vale developments. Testing within the remaining greenfield areas (Grand Parade and Gun and Drum Hill) failed to reveal any features of potential archaeological significance. The area to the east of the Luas line is very disturbed and covered with dumps of modern construction debris/spoil. Three small corroded iron objects were retrieved from topsoil in T49.3 during the metal detection survey of the spoil, none of which were distinctly military in origin.

A short section of truncated former railway line was noted within the footprint of the Grand Parade. There is slight potential for groundworks associated with the proposed development (Grand Parade and Gun and Drum Hill), to impact negatively on any remaining features or finds associated with the camp, outside of the investigated area.

Two test trenches were excavated to depths of c. 2–2.5m across the area of potential for the burnt mound DU026-165; although unstable ground conditions and nearby underground cables limited the extent of the trenching. Despite the size of the recorded mound (54m x 17m) no evidence was uncovered in the test trenches. It may be that an incorrect location has been recorded for this feature or that it is located at a depth greater than 2.5m. The current proposed road cut requires 2.8m excavation and as such may have a moderate negative direct impact on any remains located within the road footprint. The scattered geophysical anomalies indicated changes in the natural geology.

No evidence for archaeological features were noted within the footprint of possible enclosure SAP 1. Five previously unrecorded areas of archaeological significance were identified - comprising of charcoal clamps and burnt mound in AA1, burnt spread and a pit in AA2, a single charcoal clamp in AA3, sections of a clay-bonded wall in AA4 and five pits, including a possible cremation burial pit, in AA5. The burnt mound in AA1 and possible burial pit in AA5 appear to be prehistoric with the remaining features likely to date to the later medieval or post-medieval period. Groundworks associated with the proposed development will have a significant direct negative impact on the features identified during testing in AA1–5 and any associated archaeological remains.

There is the potential for further previously unrecorded remains to survive beneath the current ground surface in the previously undisturbed greenfield areas, outside of the current investigated trenches. As such ground disturbances, such as topsoil stripping, associated with the proposed development may have an adverse impact on any such features or deposits in these areas. Further archaeological mitigation, as detailed in the testing report, is recommended in advance of construction.

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