County: Wicklow Site name: Carnew
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: 19E0140 19R0047
Author: Yvonne Whitty
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 701355m, N 663632m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.714297, -6.499897
Test trenching was completed at the site of a proposed Part 8 Rapid Build housing development comprising 26 units in Carnew, County Wicklow for Wicklow County Council. The site is located in two fields which are divided by an access road to an existing housing estate. The fields are under pasture and slope gently to the north.
Although no Recorded Monument Sites will be directly impacted upon by the works the site in within a landscape that has seen occupation from prehistoric times. Later medieval activity is evidenced 550m to the south of the development site at Carnew where a castle and grave-slab are located. Furthermore, documentary evidence supports Carnew Castle and environs as the scene of rebellion in 1641 where the castle was held under siege for almost six months and again in 1798 when the village was burned almost to the ground forcing the government troops to evacuate.
Test trenching in tandem with the desk-based assessment was carried out in advance of the development on 15 March. No finds or features of archaeological significance were exposed.
Unit 10 Riverside Business Centre, Tinahely, Wicklow
