County: Dublin Site name: Bremore Regional Park, Balbriggan
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0583
Author: Ian Russell
Site type: Possible enclosure
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 719477m, N 764864m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.619951, -6.194024
Test trenching was carried out at the proposed Bremore Regional Park, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, between 15–20 September 2021, in fields designated M3 and M4 only. Testing was carried out at the request of the client to assess the archaeological potential of the site following a geophysical survey carried out by Target Archaeological Geophysics in March 2020 (20R0032) and an Archaeological Impact Assessment carried out by Dr. Kerri Cleary (ACSU) in 2019.
Testing succeeded in identifying a number of archaeological features in the area of geophysical anomaly number 10 in Trenches 9-10, 13 & 23 and all were visible on the grey scale image. These consisted of a number of linear features (C6, C9 & C11), a curving linear feature, possibly a portion of an enclosing ditch (C7) and a possible boundary ditch (C8). All of the features had occasional inclusions of charcoal and animal bone.
Portions of post-medieval field systems (C3-C5 & C10) were also identified within Trenches 6-8 & 15-16. No further archaeological features were identified in the remainder of the trenches.
The archaeological assessment succeeded in identifying a number of archaeological features, possibly parts of a enclosing element, at geophysical anomaly number 10 in Trenches 9-10, 13 & 23.
As it was not possible to excavate Trenches 12 & 17, which were situated below topsoil bunds, it is recommended that these areas are subject to archaeological testing upon their removal. Similarly, it is recommended that the anomaly identified at the western edge of the proposed development is tested following the removal of the haul road.
Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth
