County: Wicklow Site name: Blessington Demesne, Blessington
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WI005-019 & WI005-020 Licence number: 20E0163
Author: David Bayley
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 697993m, N 714713m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.173860, -6.534205
Test trenching took place across the site in May 2020. A total of 24 trenches were excavated, laid out in order to assess the geophysical anomalies identified in a previous survey and any areas that did not provide a response.
There are two recorded monuments within the overall lands under assessment. Barrow WI005-019 is included in the RMP and was preserved in situ as part of phase 2 of the development. A designed landscape feature is also located within the development area, but this was subject to archaeological testing in 2002 and no remains of archaeological significance were identified (WI005-020). This site is now listed within the SMR.
A geophysical survey (McCormack, 2019, Licence 19R0024), was carried out within the area, which identified the extent of the recorded barrow (WI005-019) but failed to identify any further sites or features of archaeological potential. Instances of ridge and furrow cultivation were identified within the data set, which relates to post-medieval farming. Ferrous responses were also recorded throughout the survey area, which are most likely related to modern disturbance. The barrow was preserved in situ.
No features or deposits of archaeological significance were discovered during the course of testing. A number of post-medieval and modern agricultural features were noted and it is clear that portions of the overall area have been subject to disturbance in recent years.
c/o IAC Archaeology, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
