2018:538 - Aungierstown, Ballybane and Milltown, Clondalkin, Dublin

Development involved installation of 110kv ducts to facilitate operation of a 220kv substation under construction in the Grange Castle Business Park South site. The scheme measured approximately 550m in length north-west/south-east x 15m in width north/south (maximum), and was located immediately north of an existing north-west/south-east orientated road (Grange Castle South Access Road).

Fieldwork previously carried out on site by Rubicon Heritage revealed two roughly parallel ditches, on average 5m apart, running north-east/south-west within the development area. A small sub-circular deposit of greyish-brown stony silty clay was also revealed within the area of land take. A rough piece of granite measuring 0.25m x 0.2m x 0.1m was recovered from the surface of this deposit; it contained a single evenly-pecked face suggestive of a grinding surface. A shallow arc on the opposite surface is suggestive of part of a broken central perforation. Pending specialist examination, it was suggested that this is a fragment of a rotary quernstone of uncertain type.

A Method Statement was submitted to facilitate excavation of these known archaeological features, and for test trenching of the remainder of the area of land take.

Excavation of these features has now been completed. A report on the pottery prepared by Clare McCutcheon confirmed that of the 60 sherds recovered from the site, 41 are medieval in date. In addition to the household pottery, three sherds of post-medieval unglazed red earthenware roof tile were recovered, one of which is a fragment of pantile. The fabrics and vessel forms are consistent with other sites in the wider Dublin city area. The medieval glazed ware in particular was very worn with all surfaces reduced by post-depositional wear.

No additional archaeological features or artefacts were revealed as a result of carrying out the monitoring.

36 Fingal Street, Dublin 8