2021:319 - Cavan Road, Knockbridge, Dundalk, Louth

Test trenching was carried out at Cavan Road, Knockbridge, Dundalk Co. Louth on 19 July 2021.
A total of 4 test trenches were excavated within the location of the proposed dwelling house, however no archaeological features or deposits were identified and no evidence of the possible enclosure (LH012-001001-) was exposed.
Consequently, in order to determine the presence or absence of archaeological remains associated with the possible enclosure it was decided to strip an area measuring 80m in length by 17m in width of topsoil and clean the exposed subsoil by hand. During this work two linear ditches (C3 & C4) were exposed. C3 was orientated north-south, measured 0.96m in width and 0.28m in depth and had been filled with a compact light brown gravelly clay containing frequent inclusions of angular stone. It did not represent a portion of the possible enclosure ditch but rather appeared to represent a field drain or field ditch associated with the post-medieval boundary ditch (C4). This ditch was orientated east-west and measured 1.76m in width by 0.45m in depth and had been filled with a loose mid-brown sandy clay. One rim sherd of brown glazed earthenware (21E0045:004:1) was recovered from C4.
It is likely that either only faint traces of the possible enclosure were identified in the CUCAP aerial photograph, explaining why it could not be detected in the geophysical survey, or that it had been ploughed out over the past number of decades since the site was first identified. No traces of the ditch or any internal features of the possible enclosure were identified during either the testing or the stripping and cleaning of the open area to the rear of the site. Consequently, no further archaeological mitigation is required.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth