2017:773 - DUBLIN AIRPORT NORTH RUNWAY PROJECT—Excavation of Site C, Barberstown, Dublin

Site C is located within the proposed development area of the North Runway Project at Dublin Airport in the townland of Barberstown. The site was identified during advance archaeological investigations which included a non-invasive geophysical survey by Target Geophysics (16R0097) and archaeological test-trenching (16E0335) by Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy. The geophysical survey identified a rectangular ditched enclosure and numerous weak linear features of potential archaeological interest.

Excavation of this site was undertaken between 6 and 13 March 2017. Two separate areas were excavated, Area 1 around the potential sub-rectangular enclosure and ditch identified on the geophysical survey, and Area 2 across the potential trackway identified in Trench 7 of the earlier testing.

Despite extensive stripping and cleaning in Area 1, no trace of any archaeological or other cut features were identified in the area of the potential enclosure. To the south however, two distinct and relatively narrow parallel ditches were identified. Both of these features produced sherds of 19th-century white delftware and are obviously of relatively modern origin.

Area 2 to the east had been interpreted as a possible metalled trackway during the earlier test-trenching flanked on either side by a drainage ditch. An area measuring 20m east-west by 6m was excavated along the line of the previously excavated Trench 7. The two drainage ditches were re-exposed and found to contain frequent sherds of 19th/20th-century pottery. They measured on average 1m in width at the top and 0.5m in maximum depth and both extended north and south beyond the cutting. What was interpreted as a possible metalled trackway between the two ditches during earlier testing proved to be a natural stone and gravel subsoil below a thin layer of orange boulder clay.

As the features exposed are not of archaeological significance, no further work is deemed necessary.