2018:072 - Ticknick and Laughanstown, Dublin

Testing was undertaken within the available open space within the Phase 2 Ticknick Park, located at Ticknick and Laughanstown, Co. Dublin within the Cherrywood Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The investigation was undertaken to inform the impact assessment submitted with the planning application. The test areas comprised of an east-facing pasture bordered by the M50 and three south-facing fields of pasture bordered to the north and west by dense scrubland. Two recorded monuments, field system (DU026-071002) and enclosure (DU026-163), are in the vicinity of the eastern field. Cartographic and aerial photographic analysis shows the area as undeveloped fields with small agricultural buildings to the north-west. Geophysical survey, undertaken within the test areas in June 2015, indicated agricultural trends with a number of scattered small-scale features of archaeological potential. A substantial bivallate circular enclosure was identified (and preserved in situ) within the Phase 1 lands to the immediate south which appears to have been occupied in the early medieval and medieval periods. Subsequent archaeological investigations within the Phase 1 site identified nine archaeological areas representing prehistoric and medieval occupation.

The current programme of testing was carried out over the course of eight days in May 2018. The intensive trenching pattern aimed to investigate the results of the geophysical survey targeting anomalies of archaeological potential; and the remaining greenfield areas to confirm absence of features. A total of 39 trenches, measuring 2,705 linear metres were excavated at this time. Within these trenches nine archaeological features were identified. A scatter of six small pits and a hearth have been designated as Archaeological Area 10 (AA10) Cutting 1–4. A kiln and associated spread of burnt material were recorded in the eastern field has been designated as AA11. These designations take account of and follow on from those allocated during Phase 1 works (AA1–9 under licence 15E0469). The features identified in AA10 and AA11 appear to represent scattered outlying elements of settlement activity associated with the early medieval and medieval settlement at Ticknick, however it cannot be ruled out at this stage that they may relate to the earlier prehistoric occupation in the vicinity. No evidence for field system DU026-071002 was noted during the current testing.

c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow