2022:434 - Northern Cross Block 2, Malahide Road, Balgriffin, Dublin

A programme of test trenching took place on 30 July 2021, at Northern Cross Block 2, Malahide Road, Dublin.
Prior to the testing programme, a significant amount of modern construction debris material had been removed from the site. In addition, the majority of the site had been utilised as a construction compound associated with several surrounding developments, and had been reduced to subsoil level in the past by others. Google Earth imagery shows the site has been heavily impacted by a series of activities over the past 20 years.

Three test trenches, measuring a total of 50 linear metres, were excavated within the northern section of the proposed development area. The upper layer of all three trenches consisted of a black gravel-rich silty clay deposit (C1) 0.3m in depth, considered to be a disturbed modern surface. Three linear features were uncovered in Test Trench 3, interpreted as possible disturbed drainage ducts associated with the former C1 surface. The maximum width of these linear features was recorded as 0.55m, and 0.25m in maximum depth. Modern plastic was recorded within the fill material. A dark brown clay with frequent stone inclusions (C2) was recorded as subsoil in all three test trenches.

The southern extent of the proposed development site had been stripped of modern debris prior to the testing programme. Immediately underlying the modern debris, natural subsoil (Dublin Boulder Clay Upper Black and Upper Brown) was uncovered across this area of site.

Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded within any of the excavated test trenches. The remainder of the site which had been cleared of modern debris and had subsoils exposed was inspected and nothing of archaeological significance was identified.

c/o IAC Archaeology Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow