County: Dublin Site name: Belcamp and Balgriffin, Malahide Rd, Dublin 17
Sites and Monuments Record No.: DU014-128 Licence number: 21E0787
Author: Maeve McCormick
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 720204m, N 741440m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.404519, -6.182894
Test excavation was undertaken on 22-24 November 2021 at Belcamp and Balgriffin, Malahide Road, Dublin 17 in dry bright conditions. It was intended to excavate 50 machine-assisted test trenches (c.1400 linear metres) across the site targeting geophysical anomalies. The site, with an area of c. 63ha, is located due west of the Northern Cross on the Malahide Road.
A Geophysical survey (21R0190) was undertaken in Sept 2021. Areas of possible pits, enclosures and possible ring ditches were detected throughout the survey area. Of particular note is a potential double ring-ditch on the northern field boundary and a large enclosure containing possible pits. Trenches were placed to assess these geophysical anomalies. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in any of the trenches. Geophysical anomalies could be explained by the subsoil variations noted in all trenches.
There is one SMR site located within the proposed development site, a ring-ditch (DU014-128) that was identified on aerial imagery. RMP DU014-128 was tested by two trenches (1 & 4); nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered. Variations in the subsoil, in particular a curved band of yellow silty-clay, may explain the geophysical anomalies and the crop marks.
No features of archaeological significance were recorded in the course of test excavation.
Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
