2023:821 - Millbank, Rush, Dublin

Archaeological monitoring at Millbank windmill in Rush, Co. Dublin (DU008-012/NIAH 11324016) was undertaken in advance of works to level the ground around the site and install uplighters around the monument. The works comprised the excavation of a narrow trench (0.2m wide; 0.75m deep) to accommodate cables and installation of uplighters. Below the sod was fine soft mid-brown sand (0.6m deep) with very occasional inclusions of small stones, butchered animal bone and modern refuse. This overlay fine yellow sand with mussel and winkle shells and occasional pieces of animal bone and modern ceramic. The works also exposed a number of flagstones at the northern entrance to the windmill. These were large heavy stones (average length 0.5m; width 0.4m; thickness 0.2m), which may have originated in the mill building, possibly taken from the damaged basement opening on the south-east side. No archaeological material was uncovered during the course of the monitoring works. The stratigraphy encountered suggests that the upper level of the mound is made entirely of sand, the very sterile nature of which suggests it may be a relatively recent addition to the site.