County: Dublin Site name: LUAS Finglas
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 21E0657
Author: Yvonne Whitty
Site type: Landfill containing waste spanning the 20th-21st centuries
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 736951m, N 713772m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.390861, -6.298342
Archaeological monitoring took place of Geotechnical Investigations (GI) (where required) for a proposed 4km extension to the existing Luas Green Line (Luas Finglas), County Dublin.
A total of 52 GI locations required archaeological monitoring due to their proximity to either a Recorded Monument and Place, or other area of archaeological potential. Archaeological monitoring of these works took place between the 22nd September 2021 and January 17th 2022.
The works generally comprised the excavation of borehole and window sample inspection pits that were on average 1m long x 0.5m wide x 1.2m deep. Borehole drilling was also monitored to a maximum depth of 7.3m, to determine the depth of made ground and if any original ground of archaeological potential survived in situ. Trial pits were excavated to a depth of 4.5m and were on average 2m long x 0.5m wide.
Monitoring of the GI works confirmed the natural ground comprises a blanket of cohesive glacial till (Dublin Boulder Clay) with localised areas of glaciofluvial sands and gravels deposited along the path of the Tolka River System. The Tolka Valley Park comprised landfill which was on average 5m in depth and sealed natural ground.
Only one potential feature, a possible wall was identified during monitoring at Broombridge (inspection pit LF WS 1023). This feature was identified in the environs of the Royal Canal which may relate to the historic limestone bridge at Broome Bridge or an associated historic structure (DCC RPS 909). No further archaeology or archaeological objects were found during monitoring of the GI works.
Unit 10 Riverside Business Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
