County: Wicklow Site name: Ashford Film Studios, Kellystown, Ashford
Sites and Monuments Record No.: None Licence number: Licence 19E0146
Author: Yvonne Whitty
Site type: Prehistoric
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 727619m, N 699661m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.032383, -6.097269
Monitoring took place of Phase 1 at the site of a film studio expansion at Kellystown, Ashford, County Wicklow. Ashford Studios currently operate a successful film studio at Ballyhenry c. 1km south of the application site and this expansion is to facilitate the growing demand for floor space specifically at Ashford.
The development as a whole involves the construction of twelve buildings with ancillary facilities encompassing an area of approximately c.27.8 hectares. Ten-year planning permission was granted for the development by An Bord Pleanala (PL27.301391) with revised conditions including condition 13 for archaeological monitoring of all construction works associated with the development. It is envisaged that the works will be completed in phases, each one lasting approximately three years. The first phase of works, which is the subject of this summary, is for the construction of film studios Blocks A, B, C and D.
During Phase 1 archaeological monitoring and excavation only two small areas of archaeology were excavated, a small pit surrounded by stake-holes and a hearth. Post-excavation analysis is ongoing.
Unit 10, Riverside Business Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
