County: Wicklow Site name: Newtownmountkennedy Phase 5 and 5a
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: 19E0194
Author: Paul Duffy and Liza Kavanagh
Site type: Monitoring - Enclosure, kilns, pits, post-holes etc.
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 725850m, N 705996m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.089706, -6.121154
Topsoil stripping was monitored in two areas (Phase 5 and 5a) at a housing development in Newtownmountkennedy and Monalin. ITM Coordinates 725850, 705996 and 726148, 705530. No archaeological features or deposits were identified within Phase 5a area.
However, a total of 133 features of probable archaeological provenance were identified in the Phase 5 area. These features comprise a largely diffuse spread of pits, possible hearths, possible post- and stake-holes, a number of possible kiln features and a large enclosure of c. 50m diameter. The enclosure is located on level, raised ground overlooking the valley and watercourse to the north-east. It is slightly oval in plan with a north-west/south-east axis of 50m diameter by 45m. A number of pit features (c. 22) were identified within the area enclosed by the ditch, however it is as yet uncertain if these features are contemporary. A causewayed entrance, c. 3m wide was identified in the east-south-east portion of the ditch circuit. A series of four features, possibly kilns, aligned in a north-west/south-east arrangement, extend from the north-eastern quadrant of the enclosure. Two relatively dense concentrations of pit and possible post-hole features in the northern part of the site may represent structures. Several sherds of probable Late Bronze Age ceramic were retrieved from this area.
Excavations have commenced on site in July 2019 under the same licence number.
c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
