2015:372 - BALBRIGGAN: Clogheder/Clonard or Folkstown Great, Dublin

Test-trenching was carried out on the site of a proposed school in Clogheder and Clonard or Folkstown Great townlands in November 2015. Two previous testing programmes (Elliott, 2007:422 and Connell, 2008:379) had been carried out on the site as well as a programme of geophysical surveying. A number of archaeological features were identified during these works. These included four fulachtaí fia and other features indicative of prehistoric settlement activity. Additional archaeological activity was also identified in three other parts of the site. The fulachtaí fia identified mainly lie beyond the boundaries of the site, however are in close proximity to it. One of the sites to the south does lie within the site boundary, however no construction works are proposed in this part of the development and this site will be preserved in situ.

Twenty-two test-trenches were opened across the site during the 2015 testing programme identifying twenty-six archaeological features. A number of probable prehistoric features were identified in the northern part of the site and are likely to relate to one of the archaeological zones previously identified by Ruth Elliott in 2007 (17.2). These include a number of pits and ditches with organic-rich fills and a burnt spread. The archaeology is located mainly in the northern portion of the fields with a number of outlying pits further to the south.

To the north-east of the site, a medieval ditch, associated metalled surface and two other possibly associated ditches were identified.

In the western end of the site, a cluster of pits and post-holes was identified possibly suggestive of settlement activity, though they did not form any clear pattern.

The site was subsequently monitored and excavation took place in early 2016 under Licence No. 15E0586.