2023:280 - Sandyford Road and Blackglen Road, Lamb’s Cross, Balally, Dublin 18, Dublin

Archaeological test excavation was undertaken on a site at Sandyford Road and Blackglen Road, Lamb’s Cross, Balally, Dublin 18 in November 2023. It was proposed to excavate 3 trenches measuring a total of 156 linear meters (280 sq m) by mechanical excavator. Test excavation was undertaken on 1 November 2023 in wet conditions.

The north of the subject area comprised a modern bungalow with gardens to the front and rear. Trench 3 was located to the rear of bungalow, however the bungalow, which is scheduled for demolition, was still inhabited; there was no answer when we knocked on the door and so we could not confirm access was granted. Trench 3 was relocated to the south to be located within the greenspace.

A levelling layer (C1) was dumped across the entire east and southeast of the area between 2021 and 2022. It lay above original topsoil layer C2, which in turn lay across subsoil C3. It comprised light brown friable silty clay with frequent stone and modern debris and varied in depth between 0.4-1.2m and thinned towards the north. An underground spring was discovered within this trench.

The original ground surface/topsoil was noted in all trenches. It was below C1 in Trenches 1 & 2 but was the sole context in Trench 3. This layer comprised dark brown friable silty clay with frequent roots and occasional modern debris; in patches across the site it also contains loose black tarmac. It was 0.1-0.3m deep.

Subsoil was noted across the entire site.  It was a yellow & grey glacial clay with frequent stones.

Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded during the course of the works.

Archer Heritage Planning, Unit 1, Tenure Business Park, Co Louth A92 K2VF