2019:573 - DRUID’S GLEN LINK ROAD N11, Brennanstown, Dublin

An archaeological excavation was carried out in advance of the construction of the Druid’s Glen N11 Link Road. The excavations were undertaken on behalf of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in advance of a road infrastructure development (Planning Ref.: D15A/0385, condition 35). The site lies partially within the zone of archaeological constraint associated with the early medieval ‘Mount Offaly’ cemetery DU026-119 (Conway 1999).

Several phases of archaeological test trenching were carried out in advance of development (2006:573, Licence Ref.: 06E1077 and 2016:234, Licence Ref.: 16E0526). Monitoring of topsoil stripping was subsequently recommended and during these works several archaeological features were identified. Archaeological excavation followed under an extension to the testing licence 16E0526. The purpose of the excavations was to preserve-by-record through appropriate rescue excavation any archaeological features or deposits discovered during archaeological monitoring of groundworks, so as to mitigate impacts on the archaeological remains discovered within the footprint of the project. Three phases of archaeological activity were identified. This activity was focused along the southern portion of the development area.

Phase I, consisted of inter-cutting boundary ditches of 7th- to 8th-century date. One of these had a north-south orientation while the other three were oriented roughly east–west. These features were not rich in finds but did produce amounts of animal bone and seashell. The inter-cutting ditches of Phase I illustrate changing patterns of land division in the 7th to 8th centuries. Dating of these features is based largely on the retrieval of a copper alloy pseudopenannular ring-brooch of likely 8th-century date from the fill of a ditch which was stratigraphically the latest feature in this phase. The western continuation of these ditches ran below the formation level of the development and were preserved in situ.

Phase II followed the back-filling of Phase I ditches and comprised a cereal-drying kiln of proposed 10th-century date which was constructed over the line of the former Phase I boundary. The kiln exhibited at least two phases of use, with a collapsed/back-filled stone-lined flue terminal replaced by a larger, realigned stone-lined flue.

**Phase III comprised a large, north–south running boundary ditch running along the eastern extent of the site. Post medieval ceramics were recovered from the upper and middle fills of this ditch. The lower fills of the ditch extended beneath the formation level for the development and, with the exception of the excavation of two narrow investigative trenches, were preserved in-situ. They proved to be generally stony and sterile fills. This feature is likely to correspond to the drainage ditch shown running along the western side of the Old Bray Road on the OS mapping of 1844. This ditch also formed part of the townland boundary between Kilgobbin/Loughlinstown and is directly aligned to the eastern boundary ditch of the latest phase of the Mount Offaly cemetery (Conway 1999). The above suggests that the ditch (and consequently the Old Bray Road) has its origins in the early medieval period.

Monitoring of topsoil stripping across the remainder of the site did not identify any further archaeology, though significant disturbance was noted within the central and northern potions of the site resulting from extensive terracing and the construction of a bungalow in the later 20th century.

The results of the excavation add considerable information to the understanding of the extent of the Mount Offaly cemetery, defining the southern limit to the site and confirming the surrounding agricultural nature of the settlement. The results also suggest that the Old Bray Road is of considerable antiquity and may form part of the ancient roadway known as Slighe Cualann.

The nature of the development allowed for considerable preservation in-situ of archaeological features and deposits. Specifically, the lower (and potentially medieval) portions of the Phase III ditch and the western extent of the Phase I ditches have been preserved in-situ beneath a protective layer of geotextile and a 0.3m buffer of graded 808 stone.

Post-excavation analysis is ongoing and it is expected that specialist input will allow for a closer dating of the various features onsite and will provide more detailed information on the types of animal husbandry, food consumption and arable agriculture that were taking place onsite.

All specialist results will be incorporated into a final report that will be issued to the planning authority, National Monuments Service and the National Museum and this entry will be updated accordingly.

REFERENCES
Conway, M. 1999 Director’s first findings from excavations in Cabinteely. Margaret Gowen &
Co. Ltd. Dublin.

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