County: Dublin Site name: Barnageeragh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: Adj to DU005-017 Licence number: 15E0548
Author: Eoin Halpin
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 722975m, N 760919m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.583709, -6.142735
Due to the presence of two known archaeological monuments in the vicinity of the proposed development, DU005:016 and DU005:017-, it was agreed with the Fingal County Council planners that a phase of pre-planning investigations should take place in order to aid the decision-making process.
The results of the geophysical survey did not reveal anything of significance in the area, apart from what were interpreted to be possible isolated pits.
The testing, which took place in November 2015, consisted of 13 machine-dug trenches spaced evenly across the area of the proposed housing development and associated road. Subsoil consisted of a loose sandy gravel, overlain by between 0.5m and 0.6m of topsoil.
The results suggested that the possible isolated pits, revealed in the geophysical survey, are in fact pockets of almost pure, naturally occurring, mineral sand, which were found with in a number of the trenches.
Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered.
Despite the ‘negative’ results of the testing under the footprint of the proposed housing and road scheme along the southern portion of the ridge, the presence of the archaeological cairn, DU005-017-, was indicative of significant archaeological activity in the immediate area and the presence of the second cairn, DU005-016, to the north-west, added to the archaeological potential of the area.
In discussions with the heritage authorities and Fingal County Council, it was agreed that inter-visibility and acknowledgement of the landscape character should be taken into account in the design and layout. It was agreed that a ‘green’ corridor should be maintained in the proposal to preserve inter-visibility between the two cairns, DU005-016 and 017, this area to consist of grassland and low shrubbery with access roads to run to the rear, east side, of the eastern cairn (DU005-017).
It was further agreed that the existing eastern cairn, DU005-017-, be covered with a protective geo-textile membrane and re-instated, under archaeological supervision, as an earthen, low spread, grass covered mound. The slopes should be shallow enough to allow for the grass to be cut as part of the overall maintenance of the proposed green space.
AHC Ltd, 36 Ballywillwill Road, Castlewellan Co Down BT31 9LF
