2015:362 - TICKNICK PARK, Ticknick and Laughanstown, Dublin

Testing was carried out between November 2015 and May 2016 in the footprint of the proposed Ticknick Park development, located in the townlands of Ticknick and Laughanstown, situated within the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The assessment was undertaken to inform the impact assessment submitted with the planning application. It followed on from a geophysical survey carried out by Target Geophysics in July 2015 (Nicholls, 15R0070). This survey identified a substantial bi-vallate enclosure measuring c. 70m in diameter associated with a smaller satellite enclosure and several linear features in the western half of the site. The zones of archaeological potential for two recorded monuments—enclosure DU026-163 and field system DU026-071002—are partially located within the development footprint.

Approximately 11% (or 6,789.5 linear meters of trenches) of the site was subject to testing at this time to investigate DU026-163 and DU026-071002; geophysical anomalies including bi-vallate enclosure, satellite enclosure and associated features; route of a former mill race; and remaining greenfield area. Testing identified nine areas of archaeological significance indicative of prehistoric and medieval settlement remains.

• Archaeological Area 1 (AA 1): Possible prehistoric platform;

• AA 2: Truncated linear ditch, slot trench and associated spread, three pits, a semi-circular gully (Cutting 1) and pit (Cutting 2);

• AA 3: Substantial bivallate enclosure (diam. of c. 70m), satellite enclosure (diam. 30m), and possibly associated linear ditch and features.

• AA 4: Burnt mound, two pits and a possible trough;

• AA 5: Three single pits (Cutting 1–3), a possible hearth (Cutting 4), a linear feature (Cutting 5) and a truncated kiln (Cutting 6);

• AA 6: Charcoal clamp (Cutting 1) and three linear features (Cuttings 2 and 3);

• AA 7: Heavily truncated remains of enclosure DU026-163;

• AA 8: A kiln and a charcoal clamp (Cutting 1 and 2);

• AA 9: Five pits and a spread of burnt mound material.

Evidence for Prehistoric Settlement
Evidence for possible prehistoric structures (slot trenches, post-holes and a platform) were noted in AA 1 and 2. A flint scraper was found near the platform in T1. An extensive Neolithic and Bronze Age landscape was recorded to the east during construction of the M50. Further to the north and north-east at Carrickmines and Kilgobbin further evidence for Bronze Age and Iron Age structures have also been recorded. Ephemeral remains of burnt mound activity were noted in AA 4 and 9. Numerous burnt mounds have been identified and excavated further to the east within the footprint of the M50 at Carrickmines Great and in advance of the Business Park at Cherrywood.

Evidence for Medieval Settlement
The substantial enclosures in AA 3 appear, on current evidence, to have been occupied during the medieval period. It is possible that these features may have origins in prehistory although given the prevalence of recently excavated examples along with the form of the site, these are more likely to date to the early medieval period. A single sherd of possible 13th-century pottery is the only dating evidence from the investigated sections of the enclosure ditch. This came from the upper fill of the outer ditch indicating a possible abandonment date. This area was well-populated during the medieval period with nearby settlements at Carrickmines castle and the important nearby port at Dalkey. It is likely, as evidenced at numerous previously excavated ringforts, that this site may have been occupied for generations.

Although heavily truncated the enclosure DU026-163, AA 7, may represent a denuded settlement site. Although severely truncated remains of the enclosure bank survive to the east of the current proposed development area, geophysical survey and testing has confirmed that no archaeological features remain within the footprint of the green access route. The route of the gas and water mains run through this field and it is possible that ground works associated with these developments may have adversely impacted on the enclosure remains. An early medieval ringfort was excavated in Glebe townland to the east within the footprint of the Wyatville Link Road. Significant evidence for early medieval ecclesiastical and secular activity is recorded further east at Laughanstown, Cherrywood and north-east Cabinteely.

Possible early medieval kilns, which may have been used to dry corn, have been noted in trenches adjacent to the linear ditch and scattered in the fields to the east and west of the enclosure (AA 2 and 5). Outlying kiln activity is frequently recorded at early medieval settlement sites, such as that recently excavated at Knockhouse Lower, Co. Waterford WA009-003 (Walsh and Ficner 2015, 15E0215).

AA 5 contains single pits, a hearth, a kiln and linear feature. While it is suggested that the kiln may be early medieval in date (see above) further investigation is required to interpret the remaining isolated features, which may date from the prehistoric to medieval period.

A kiln and charcoal clamp were recorded in close proximity in AA 8, outside of the current area of proposed development. The kiln in T88 bore morphological similarity to the probable early medieval corn-drying kilns recorded in AA 2, 3 and 5. AA 6 is characterised by stone-packed linear features, two of which are located in close proximity to one another (Cutting 2). No dating evidence was recovered from hand excavation of these features, although the morphology of all three would suggest that they are coterminous. Further investigation is required although they may relate to land improvement or provide evidence for truncated structures.

Metal detection of spoil was undertaken during the testing programme under licence 15R0131. No finds of archaeological significance were retrieved during these works. No archaeology was found during monitoring of site investigation pits within the development footprint.