2022:673 - Newtown, Swords, Dublin

Archaeological test-excavations were carried out as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment Report in relation to the proposed construction of a mixed residential development on an approximately 13-hectare greenfield site in Newtown, Swords, Co. Dublin.

Prior to testing, the site, which comprised four adjoining fields, had been subjected to a geophysical survey under detection licence no. 22R0306. While all areas of the proposed development site were tested, test-trenches were laid out in a targeted array to determine the nature and extent of the anomalies identified as potential archaeology during the geophysical survey, as well as to investigate the recorded location of enclosure DU011-017 in Field 3. A total of 44 test-trenches were machine-excavated across the proposed development site.

A number of archaeological features and deposits were identified in several test-trenches

Field 1: The remains of a burnt mound, possibly a fulacht fiadh were found in Trench 5, in the eastern area of Field 1. Other features in Field 1 were either identified as former field boundaries depicted on the historic Ordnance Survey maps, or as agricultural features, such as furrows in Trench 6 and modern drainage features in Trenches 8 and 9.

Field 2: Several ditches or linear features were found in this area but all appear to be agricultural in nature relating to drainage.

Field 3: No evidence for the enclosure DU011-017 was found during the geophysical survey and subsequent test trenching. Three archaeological features were found in Trenches 15 and 16: a possible kiln flue, a burnt feature and a hearth or kiln. It is not known if these features are associated. A pre-1st edition Ordnance Survey boundary ditch was found in Trench 14, and possibly in Trench 15, and another boundary ditch visible on the historic maps was found in Trench 17.

Field 4: Four archaeological features were found in this area, in Trenches 37, 39, 40 and 43, and consisted of burnt material of unknown date.