2023:008 - De Vesci House, Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, Dublin

The author was commissioned to carry out a programme of archaeological testing and assessment of a proposed extension to an existing dwelling house at De Vesci House, Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin. The subject site and the location of the proposed extension/groundworks are located within the zone of archaeological potential (ZAP) for DU023-013001-, DU023-013002- and DU023-013003- (a church, graveyard, and charnel house respectively), located immediately to the north of the subject site, and just outside the ZAP for DU023-014001-, DU023-014002- and DU023-01403- (a castle, gatehouse and bawn also listed as National Monument number 428) located immediately to the south.

The applicant excavated 1 test trench measuring 750mm in length x 1m in width across the site at the location of the proposed extension which is the only area where ground disturbance will occur.

The stratigraphy exposed was a layer of gravel over a deposit of 19th/20th-century rubble and detritus extending to a depth of 600mm. Testing at the narrow northern end of the trench was constrained due to the presence of a large plinth at a depth of roughly 400mm which is likely associated with the Carrickbrennan ecclesiastical complex boundary wall dating to the 18th or earlier 19th century. Towards the south a gas connection and concrete service pipe along with water pipes have disturbed the subsurface to a significant degree.

Nothing of archaeological significance was noted.