County: Dublin Site name: Cruiserath, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 20E0643
Author: James Hession and Dawn Gooney
Site type: Kiln, barrow, enclosure ditch and pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 707720m, N 741923m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.416420, -6.379540
Two separate programmes of test trenching were undertaken at the site. The first was carried out from November 23-26 2020, and was associated with the extension of a High Voltage Cable Route from an existing site in Cruiserath to the Corduff Substation, Dublin 15. A total of 13 test trenches were excavated across the route of the high voltage cable from the data centre to the ESBN substation at Corduff. Test Trenches 1 to 8 were excavated within the townland of Crusierath, with Test Trenches 9 to 13 excavated in the townland of Goddamendy. No features of archaeological significance were identified during archaeological test trenching undertaken in advance of the proposed development. The identified features related to modern service trenches and land drainage associated with the former agricultural nature of the site.
The second programme of test trenching was carried out in association with the conditions associated with a grant of planning permission. It was undertaken from 15–19 February 2021, following a geophysical survey. A total of 38 trenches were excavated, confirming the presence of a sub-circular enclosure and other features identified by geophysics. These were grouped in four areas to be resolved in excavation.
Archaeological excavation was undertaken across four areas (Cuttings 1-4) from May 5 to July 9 2021.
Cutting 1 was located in the south-east of the proposed development area. Archaeological features identified in Cutting 1 included two linear ditches, pits, a large kiln and a circular hut circle with associated post-holes.
Cutting 2 was located north of Cutting 1, in the north-east of the development area. A single pit with evidence of in-situ burning was identified.
Cutting 3 was located to the west of Cutting 2. This was the largest area investigated and included the enclosure ditch and internal features identified by geophysical survey and subsequent test trenching. A circular barrow was uncovered to the west of the enclosure and several agricultural drainage features were also identified in this area.
Cutting 4 was located to the north-west of Cutting 3. Monitoring of topsoil stripping in this area did not reveal any features of archaeological significance.
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