2020:094 - Thomastown, Loughshinny, Dublin

Archaeological test trenching was carried out at Thomastown, Loughshinny, Co. Dublin. The site is located to the north of Mines Road, which is parallel to Harbour Road, just off and to the east of Rush Road R128, in Loughshinny village between the towns of Rush and Skerries in North Fingal, Co. Dublin at the base of Popeshall hill, and consists of a sub-rectangular grassed field. The site was tested on 22-23 June 2020. A metal detector was also used to scan the topsoil for any finds under licence 20R0126.

Two possible pits (C102 & 103) and eight possible pits (C202-C209) were identified within Trenches 1 and 2.  The possible pits identified in Trench one were located at the south-west end of the trench, whereas the possible pits identified within Trench 2 were located in the centre.  All of the possible pits were filled with a similar mid-brown clay containing occasional angular stones.  No other inclusions were present and they were identified as possible archaeological features based on their oval form and partial excavation. Five more possible pits (C302-C306) were also identified within Trench 3 and one in Trench 5 (C502), once again filled with a mid-brown clay and stone.

The possible ditches identified at the northern end of the Trenches 1, 2 & 7 do seem to correspond to the double ditch features identified on the geophysical survey, however a section excavated through the ditches in Trench 1 indicated that they were very shallow, an average of 0.15m in depth, and it is possible that these features may actually represent a possible agricultural trackway, used by either a horse and cart or tractor, along the inside field boundary to access the gateway still present in the north-east corner of the field. The natural in all of the trenches was pock-marked with natural areas of clay and stone, however it cannot be ruled out that additional possible archaeological features may be present.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth.