2016:464 - Grange Castle South Business Park, Ballybane, Clondalkin, Dublin 22., Antrim

The areas tested were identified initially from studies of aerial photography and geophysical survey results and a very close correlation between the test trenching results and the results of the geophysical survey was noted.
AH1 represented a recorded concentric enclosure (DU021-108) with an internal ditched enclosure measuring c.50m east to west and 60m north to south and an outer ditched enclosure measuring c.90m in diameter. The test trenching confirmed the presence of extensive and well preserved internal and external ditches measuring 4m wide and 1.80m in depth below the current ground level. Numerous internal features were identified which comprised a group of linear type features and pits all of which are suggestive of domestic activity within the enclosure. The enclosure is likely to represent an early medieval settlement site.
AH2 was located 100m to the south of AH1 and represented a probable circular enclosure measuring 25m in diameter. The test trenching clearly identified the presence of a single – ditched circular enclosure measuring between 20m to 25m in diameter, with the ditch averaging 3m in width. The ditch was present within three test trenches and probably represents a ringfort or similar enclosure.
AH3 was described in the geophysical survey as a negative band of data oriented southwest-northeast and extending into the adjacent field which may represent a former track-way. The test trenching of this feature recorded two linear parallel ditches both measuring 3m wide by 1.60m deep that appear to form an old abandoned road or track. Both ditches contained old terracotta land drainage pipes suggestive of a relatively modern date for these two features.
AH4 was located in the east of the northern most field and was identified in the geophysical survey as a cluster of isolated responses which may represent a spread of burnt material or cluster of small pits and larger, isolated pit-type features. Archaeological test trenching in this area failed to identify any features of an archaeological nature. The ground was quite disturbed in this part of the site and it would appear to have been subject to test trenching previously.
AH5 represented an enclosure (DU021-109) located in the southern field, measuring c.44m with a probable entranceway in the east. The archaeological test trenching confirmed the presence of a single-ditched circular enclosure, 44m in diameter with the ditch measuring 3m wide and 1.60m deep. The general appearance of this feature is suggestive of a possible ringfort type enclosure. No internal features were recorded.
AH6 represented a circular internal ditched enclosure measuring c. 37m in diameter encompassed by a larger oval-shaped enclosure measuring c.75m x 42m. The test trenching confirmed the presence of the large elongated oval enclosure measuring approximately 75m north-south by 42m east-west with a smaller associated internal enclosure c. 37m in width containing features suggestive of occupation. The external ditch of this enclosure measured on average 2.60m wide and 1.60m deep. The site is likely to represent a multi-phased early medieval settlement site.
AH7 was identified in the geophysical survey as a series of circular and sub-circular trends and five possible pits which may be archaeological or agricultural in origin. The test trenching failed to identify any features of an archaeological nature. A field boundary was recorded containing old terracotta land drainage pipes suggestive of a relatively modern date.
AH8 was identified in the geophysical survey as a series of linear negative magnetic trends which were suggestive of archaeology. The test trenching of this area failed to identify any features of an archaeological nature. A field boundary was recorded containing old terracotta land drainage pipes suggestive of a relatively modern date.
Within Field 1, two sections of a possible linear double ditched type feature were recorded with curving u-shaped termini (AH 9-10). These two parallel ditches may form a linear boundary and one of the ditches was clearly identified by the geophysical survey. An archaeological section excavated through one of these ditches recorded its width as 2.5m and depth as 1.45m in depth. The deposits recorded within this section appear similar to that recorded within area AH1 and contain no modern materials suggestive of modern field boundaries.
The geophysical survey and the results of archaeological test trenching clearly indicate that the site contains significant archaeological remains including four separate enclosure sites, two of which are scheduled for inclusion in the next revision of the Record of Monuments & Places. Although preservation in situ of archaeological remains should always be the preferred option, where such can be accommodated within any proposed development, the present site is located with a partly developed business park and any future development here is likely to extend to the entirety of the two fields resulting in an inevitable impact on all identified archaeological features. Any proposed development of this site should take into account the surviving archaeological remains and where possible the development should be designed to avoid the archaeology.