2019:495 - Newtownmountkennedy, Wicklow

During 2019 stripping of topsoil was monitored across a greenfield area as part of an ongoing residential development. These works are described by Liza Kavanagh and Paul Duffy (under licence 19E0194) in bulletin 2019:098.
Excavation of the identified features commenced in June 2019 and was completed in November 2019. A number of archaeological features were present across the site, which may represent activity from the Neolithic to the early medieval period. The largest feature consisted of a circular enclosure with a diameter of 50m. The excavation of this feature illustrated that it truncated two earlier features, a ditch to the south-west and a small slot to the north-east. No significant features were identified within the interior of the enclosure and whilst no definitive dating material has been recovered, the remains are consistent with those representing an early medieval enclosure or ringfort. This will be confirmed with C14 dating.
Within the northern portion of the excavation the remains of a probable Neolithic rectangular structure were identified, which was formed by 12 substantial post-holes and associated slots. A large amount of prehistoric pottery and lithics were recovered from this area and it is probable that the structure functioned as a house. C14 dates will be obtained in order to confirm the date.
To the south of the Neolithic structure, a possible circular structure of unknown date was recovered. Further to the west an unenclosed hearth feature was present, which was surrounded by numerous stake-holes in close proximity. A scatter of pits and deposits were present across the site, although the date and function of these features was not clear.
Post-excavation analysis is ongoing, including specialist analysis of artefacts and C14 dating.

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