County: Wicklow Site name: Farrankelly
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 17E0292
Author: Rob Lynch, IAC Ltd
Site type: Bronze Age activity
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 728504m, N 710233m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.127132, -6.079861
Pre-planning test trenching was undertaken at the site of a proposed residential development at Farrankelly, Co. Wicklow. The proposed development area is formed by three fields under arable crop, a narrow valley under pasture and a rough field of pasture that has been subject to disturbance by dumping and possible small-scale quarrying. Testing commenced on 26 June and was completed on 5 July 2017. A total of 64 trenches were mechanically investigated across the test area. Testing followed on from a geophysical survey of the site by Joanna Leigh, which was carried out as part of an earlier phase of works in 2015 (Licence Ref.: 15R0124).
Prior to testing crop marks had been identified within the south-west corner of the proposed development. Detailed gradiometer survey in this area identified two clear circular ditch-type responses, measuring c.11.25m and 12.25m in diameter and several other responses of potential interest. The circular ditches appeared to be contained within a larger ill-defined circular feature (possible enclosure).
Three areas of archaeology were identified in the testing assessment (Archaeological Areas 1–3). The remains are likely to be Bronze Age in date and are similar to other sites that have been recorded within the surrounding landscape.
The core of Archaeological Area 1 comprises the two circular anomalies, an outer enclosure and associated features as identified in the geophysical survey and aerial photography in the south-western portion of the site. Central to Archaeological Area 1 are two ring-ditches (one c. 15m diameter and one 12.5m dimeter) enclosed by an outer enclosure with a projected diameter of c. 50m. Peripheral archaeological activity to the south-east and north that is considered to be associated with the ring-diches and enclosure include groups of pits and a ditch.
Archaeological Area 2 comprises a spread of charcoal-rich material, a possible kiln and a large pit and a group of charcoal-rich pits.
Archaeological Area 3 comprises two charcoal-rich isolated pits.
Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
