County: Wicklow Site name: Ballynerrin
Sites and Monuments Record No.: WI025-014 Licence number: 22E0136
Author: Yvonne Whitty
Site type: Ring ditch
Period/Dating: Iron Age (800 BC-AD 339)
ITM: E 730473m, N 693523m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.976562, -6.057222
An archaeological assessment report with test trenching was prepared by Shanarc Archaeology Ltd in 2021 for a development site at Ballynerrin, Co. Wicklow. The site contained an RMP site, a cist WI025-014 which was excavated in 1952. Test trenches under Licence 21E0122 were excavated by Grace Fagan, based on the results of a geophysical survey carried out in 2008, Consent no. 08R0127. A total of 34 test trenches were excavated across the site and at the location of the cist burial WI025-014. No features of archaeological significance were identified in the immediate vicinity of the cist burial, however a piece of struck flint from the topsoil was recovered.
One other archaeological feature was identified, a circular pit which was suggested to be prehistoric in nature based on its morphology and the retrieval of a potential ex-situ hammerstone or polished stone axe head in the vicinity of the pit.
A new licence was granted to the author (Licence 22E0136) for the excavation of the site ahead of construction activities. Archaeological excavations took place on 5 and 6 April 2022. An area measuring 10m x 10m was opened around the identified feature and at the location of the proposed cist burial and monitoring of groundworks was completed. The topsoil was stripped using a tracked excavator fitted with a toothless bucket. Two features of archaeological significance were identified, the circular pit was confirmed to be the remains of a truncated Iron Age ring-ditch and adjacent to the ring ditch was a small hearth with evidence of in-situ burning.
Unit 10, Riverside business centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
