2023:661 - Ballymakaily, Newcastle Road, Lucan, Dublin

Two phases of archaeological monitoring (Phase 1 and Phase 2) of groundworks associated with a proposed development site took place in the townland of Ballymakaily, in Lucan, Co. Dublin. The monitoring works identified a number of isolated archaeological features which, in consultation with the National Monuments Service (NMS), were subsequently subject to full archaeological excavation.

The proposed development site comprises six low-lying arable fields (Fields 1–6) separated by hedgerows containing mature trees. The Newcastle Road (R120) and Grange Castle Business Park lie to the east, while the Grand Canal is immediately to the north.

The monitoring and excavation works in Phase 1 were carried out between 1 June and 28 June 2022 and were located in Field 1. The Phase 2 works were carried out in the north-western corner of Field 1 as well as in Fields 2­­-6 inclusively and were carried out between 11 January and 24 February 2023.

The proposed development site was previously subjected to a geophysical survey (18R0257, Leigh 2019), test-trenching (19E0038, Hardy 2019), and large-scale archaeological excavation (19E0038, Dowling 2019). The archaeological excavation works were located in Field 1 of the proposed development and uncovered evidence for settlement and agricultural activity in the form of a large, circular enclosure. In line with the recommendations from the testing report (Hardy 2019), all groundworks associated with the proposed development including areas within Field 1 not subject to archaeological excavation were to be monitored under the direct and continuous supervision of an archaeologist in order to identify any subsurface archaeological remains that may have been present.

The programme of archaeological monitoring of ground works in Phase 1 revealed a pit (C.3) and a spread (C.5), both containing burnt stone, which may be indicative of cooking at the site in the prehistoric period, while two linear features (C.7 and C.9) were found to be the continuation of relict field boundaries excavated and recorded as part of the excavation in 2019 under licence 19E0038. The archaeological monitoring in the Phase 2 works revealed a further two pits and a spread, all containing burnt stone, at the western edge of Field 4. One of the pits contained four stake-holes at its base and the pits and spread are also likely to be associated with cooking in the area and are also probably prehistoric in date.

The archaeological excavations undertaken in Ballymakaily in 2019 under licence 19E0028 revealed evidence of successive phases of early medieval settlement enclosures defined by multiple ditches, as well as a number of spreads and pits with burnt stone dating to the latter half of the third millenium BC, potentially indicating open-air cooking and/or feasting. The pits and spreads discovered during the Phase 1 and 2 monitoring works under the present licence would appear to represent further evidence of cooking and possibly feasting in this area and may be broadly contemporary with the pits and spreads recorded in the 2019 excavation.

In addition to the pits, spreads and post-holes, a ditch correlating to a field boundary ditch marked on the first and second edition historical OS maps was identified and tested, revealing occasional fragments of red brick, modern pottery and glass.

Archaeological monitoring for the overall project is now complete and the proposed development site is considered fully archaeologically resolved.

References:

Dowling, G. 2021. Final Archaeological Excavation Report, Ballymakaily, Co. Dublin, 2019. Part 1: Final Excavation Report Archaeological Information. Unpublished report by Archaeological Management Solutions.

Hardy, C. 2019. Archaeological Testing Report, Ballymakaily, Grange Castle, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. Unpublished excavation report prepared by Archaeological Management Solutions.

Leigh, J. M. 2019. Geophysical Survey Report, Ballymakaily, Grange Castle, Co. Dublin. Licence: 18R0257. Unpublished report prepared by J. M. Leigh Surveys.

Fahy’s Road, Kilrush, Co. Clare