2017:862 - No. 9 Old Quarry, Dalkey, Dublin

Archaeological monitoring was undertaken by Steve Hickey of Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy Ltd. on behalf of Extend.ie in relation to the construction of two dwellings (Condition No. 14, Planning Register reference number: D16A/0163). The site, which sits to the immediate west of the Zone of Archaeological Potential for Dalkey village (DU023-023), measures 20m north-northwest/south-south-east and 34m east-west.
Monitoring of the initial phase of on-site ground reduction works was carried out in January 2017. This phase of works entailed the excavation of two geotechnical test trenches which intended to ascertain the depth of bedrock below the present site ground level and determine the exact location and edge of a backfilled quarry that was known to be present within the footprint of the site.
Monitoring verified the location of a backfilled 19th-century quarry close to the middle of the site (running north-south through the site) and showed that below the tarmacadam driveway the entire western half of the site was heavily disturbed and had been infilled. The eastern half of the site consisted of mid-20th-century foundations (i.e. those of the demolished bungalow) and, where undisturbed by services, natural garden soils.
Due to the absence of any material of an archaeological nature, and the large-scale disturbance across the site, it was determined that the potential for the exposure of features of an archaeological nature during further works on site to be negligible. No further archaeological presence was necessary.

Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy Ltd., Lynwood House, Ballinteer Road, Dublin 16, D16 H9V6