2018:856 - AIRTON TO INCHICORE ESB CABLE, Dublin

AMS–CRDS were engaged to undertake archaeological monitoring of works relating to the ESB Networks 110kV Cable Development between Airton and Inchicore, Dublin. An archaeological impact assessment undertaken by CRDS in August 2017 assessed the archaeological, architectural and cultural heritage assets in proximity to the route of a high voltage underground electrical line between the existing ESBN Inchicore substation in Dublin 8 to a future substation building named Airton 110kV substation in Tallaght, Dublin 24. This highlighted that:
• The southern end of the proposed development is located within close proximity to the former medieval settlement at Kilnamanagh which comprises a tower-house (DU022-005001-), church (DU022-005002-), graveyard (DU022-005003-), holy well (DU022-005004-), ecclesiastical enclosure (DU022-005005-), a bawn (DU022-005008-), earthwork (DU022-005009-, and well (DU022-006—-).
• The route was to cross the line of the curving townland boundary between Kilnamanagh and Tymon North indicated on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map, which may represent the line of the former ecclesiastical enclosure (DU022-005005-) of the monastic site of Cell Manach Eascrach.

On this basis, it was recommended that pre-development testing be undertaken at the medieval complex at Kilnamangh (DU022-005001-9). It was also recommended that a programme of archaeological monitoring take place during ground disturbance within greenfield areas (including Tymon Park, Treepark Estate, Elmcastle Estate and Parkhill Estate).

For logistical reasons, the archaeological mitigation comprised archaeological monitoring of the areas highlighted in the CRDS report.

Monitoring was undertaken over 33 days between 13 November 2017 and 2 February 2018. No soils, features or finds of archaeological significance were uncovered or impacted upon during the works.