2015:305 - Ballynerrin Lower, Wicklow

Testing was carried out on the site of a proposed development at Weston Close, Co. Wicklow on behalf of the developer, Cumclone Construction. The site WI025-065 is located within the development area and testing was carried out in 2015.

Seven burials and other archaeological features were identified in 1990 on the site of this proposed development after burials were exposed during the construction works at Weston Close housing development which adjoins the RMP site. As a result, further building works ceased. In 2008 a fresh application was made for the construction of three houses on this site and it was refused after an appeal to An Bord Pleánala. One of the reasons for this refusal was that adequate archaeological assessment had not been carried out.

In 2013 an assessment of the site, which included test trenching, was carried out by the author under licence 13E0303. The entirety of the site was tested intensively under the supervision of an osteologist. The test trenches revealed the burials identified in the 1990 assessment along with several other features which may be of archaeological significance. The archaeology was exposed on the top of a small hill which sloped down the east.

Following the assessment in 2013 the developer applied for planning in 2014 but was refused on archaeological grounds. Following a revision to the development plans, planning permission was granted in September 2015 subject to archaeological conditions.

Monitoring was carried out in September 2015. No finds or features of archaeological significance were exposed during the ground works and a boundary wall has been built separating the archaeological site and the construction/development site so as to protect and preserve the archaeological remains in situ.

De Faoite Archaeology, Unit 10, Riverside Business Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow