2022:901 - Broghan, Cherryhound and Kilshane, Dublin

Pre-development testing was undertaken at Broghan, Cherryhound and Kilshane townlands, County Dublin in two phases between July and October 2022. Archaeological test trenching followed a geophysical survey carried out in April 2022 (Target Archaeological Geophysics Ltd. 2022; Licence 22R0084).  Recorded monument DU014-001, a castle-motte and associated avenue feature, is located within the footprint of the proposed development site. Analysis of the LiDAR coverage of the site, along with the underlying geology, suggests the ‘mound’ at the centre of the recorded monument is a natural feature that has been subject to modification due to the excavation of an enclosing ditch.

Seven test trenches, totalling 250 linear metres, were excavated to establish the nature and form of any surviving archaeological remains. Phase 2 works were focussed on 45 test trenches, totalling 3,165 linear metres, which were excavated to further investigate the archaeological features associated with the DU014-001 site, as identified in Phase 1, and the wider proposed development area.

The results of the test trenching programme indicate that the designation of castle-motte for the DU014-001 site may be inaccurate. No evidence for an artificial mound, the defining feature of the motte site type, was recorded within the circuit of an identified enclosure ditch. Furthermore, no artefacts dating to the medieval period were recovered during the investigation. The site in its simple form consists of an enclosing ditch and as such may represent an early medieval enclosure, a platform ringfort or an earlier prehistoric enclosure or other classification with an enclosing ditch. The “avenue” to the east of the entrance has not been confirmed as being contemporary with the original enclosure and may be a later addition. A similar “avenue” (albeit wider) is recorded in association with an early medieval enclosure at Maynetown (DU015-055), south of Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. Investigations of enclosure returned a 2 Sigma carbon 14 date of AD 687–887.

Should the site be brought forward for development, this assessment will inform an archaeological impact assessment, which will be submitted as part of the planning application.