2018:191 - Tully Park (Phase 1), Dublin

Investigations were undertaken in advance of, and during, construction of Tully Park (Phase 1) at Laughanstown in Dublin 18 (Ministerial Consent: C718 E004640; R000401). Tully Park, outlined and approved in the Cherrywood Planning Scheme 2014, was granted planning permission by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in July 2016 (Reg. Ref. DZ15A/0813, Order No.: P/1517/16). Works were carried out in response to Planning Condition 6 within Phase 1 of Tully Park, situated to the west and south of Lehaunstown Lane.

The works were carried out under a phased approach in consultation with National Monuments Service between October 2016 and July 2018. Registration number E004640, originally granted to David McIlreavy for pre-planning test trenching, was reactivated for the various stages of subsequent works. The initial reiteration of the registration number was granted to Yvonne Whitty for the excavation of a single feature identified within the road corridor during advance testing (AA1). All remaining phases of works were directed by David McIlreavy. These included monitoring of topsoil stripping of the road corridor, testing of a ‘Kick-about’ area, metal detection and walkover survey, monitoring of topsoil stripping for pathways nd drainage and tree pits.

During the course of monitoring works two features (a hearth and pit) were identified and fully excavated, while a third feature (a possible kiln) was identified but preserved in-situ. Testing within the ‘Kick-about’ area also revealed a curvilinear gully or slot trench in the north-east corner which was filled with stones. The planned drainage in this area was redesigned to achieve preservation in-situ of these remains.
A systematic metal detection survey (Reg. No. R000401) was also carried out across the site which revealed a large number of metal objects (c. 750), the majority of which are corroded iron nails, horseshoes and fragments of machinery. All of the objects were catalogued and reviewed by an artefact specialist and 27 items were deemed to be of special significance. These include six lead musket balls, four copper alloy coins or tokens, seven copper alloy buttons, two possible copper alloy mounts and a pin.

A detailed description of all investigations carried out during the construction of Phase 1 of the park is included in a report submitted to the NMS in September 2018. Post-excavation work, such as environmental analysis and radiocarbon dating of material retrieved during excavation, is ongoing at the time of writing (Oct. 2018).

Further mitigation will be required in the vicinity of Tully Church and High Crosses during future Phase 2 of the park.

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