2021:203 - Balrothery, Dublin

Testing was undertaken between the 19 and 21 May 2021 Balrothery, Co Dublin. The site is located c.250m to the south-east of Balrothery and occupies a greenfield area of 4.475 ha.
A total of 19 test trenches with a combined length of c.1500 linear metres were excavated within the site (c.7% coverage of available area, c.3000 sq. m). They were placed to assess geophysical anomalies produced in an earlier survey (Licence No: 21R0081) and the general archaeological potential of the wider site. The fields were in an overgrown state, with the majority under grass and the north-west corner under a scrub of gorse and brambles.
The topsoil, a friable, loose, light reddish-brown, sandy-silt, with frequent small stone (<100mm diameter) inclusions had a depth of 0.2-0.45m. It lay directly above the natural subsoil, which comprised a compact, mottled, light reddish-brown, sandy-silt with frequent medium to large stone inclusions (150-250mm diameter on average). A c.5m wide band of compact gravel and stony subsoil ran east-west along the northern end of Trenches 3, 9, 10 & 11. The ground was heavily disturbed into the north-west and west of the site. This disturbed soil contained glass, plastic, breeze-blocks etc. There was evidence to west of the site of Pitch and Putt bunkers in the form of patches of gravel. No archaeological sites or features were recorded during test trenching. No archaeological objects were noted in excavated deposits.

Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.