2018:215 - Kindlestown Lower, Wicklow

A programme of monitoring was carried out of ground disturbances for enabling works associated with a residential development at Kindlestown Lower, Delgany, County Wicklow. The programme of works was in response to planning conditions attached to the development by An Bord Pleanála (Planning Ref.: PL27.249039).

There are no recorded monuments located within the development area, and only two are listed in the wider vicinity. These sites comprise Kindlestown Castle, a National Monument (WI008-017, Nat. Mon. 323, RPS 08-21), 185m to the west and Killincarrig Castle (WI013-005) c. 230m to the south-east. The historic mapping shows the site as undeveloped land adjacent to Kindlestown Castle, and later within the parkland for Kindlestown Lower and Kindlestown House.

The phase 1 area comprises an existing playing pitch and former sand pit within the northern limit of site. There are extensive views of the Wicklow Mountains and Bray Head to the west and north and the coastal plains to the east and south.

Topsoil was stripped in the north-eastern section of the site in order to create a temporary car park. Stripping of topsoil and subsoils continued to the east, where the playing pitches are located. Here the pitches, which were previously constructed by scarping into a significant slope, were rotavated, in order to lay a new surface.

No features or deposits of archaeological potential were identified during monitoring of groundworks at the development area. No further archaeological mitigation is deemed to be necessary in association with this section of the proposed development. The remaining residential development will be subject to a programme of testing, which will be carried out for a different developer.

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