2024:665 - Mill Road, Saggart, Dublin

The site was originally reported as containing a monument listed within the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) for Dublin (1998); field system DU021-032—-. This was identified on a 1971 aerial photograph and was visible as small irregular fields defined by low earthworks. However, this monument actually lies outside of the northern edge of the site boundary to the northeast of the site, and outside of the development. Despite this, and although the area was since been heavily landscaped (it is part of a golf course) and no surface remains are visible, there is a potential for sub-surface archaeological remains to survive. Furthermore, the Zone of Archaeological Potential associated with a deserted – medieval settlement, DU021-034—- with a number of related monuments, is located c. 375m to the south of the site.
There are no Protected Structures listed within the South Dublin County Council Development Plan 2016-2022 within the site. The nearest such structure is Gates and Mill Wall (Forming Old Entrance and Boundary to Swiftbrook Mills) RPS Ref. 314, located c. 325m to the southeast. A single structure is listed within the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, a late 19th-century water pump NIAH Reg. No. 11213030, marked as located within the proposed south-west access road. However, it appears that it was wrongly marked, as it is located further south and not within the footprint of the proposed road.
The scrub and vegetation was initially removed by bulldozer, working in conjunction with a mechanical excavator with a toothless grading bucket which removed the remaining topsoil and exposed the undisturbed natural subsoils. This was carried out at all times under archaeological supervision.

The topsoil (C1) varied in depth across the site and measured between 0.19m and 0.53m in depth and consisted of moderately overgrown scrub and what appeared to be small mounds of imported topsoil. This contained a large quantity of golf balls due to the proximity to the former golf course, and modern waste. No artefacts were identified within the topsoil
The exposed, undisturbed natural subsoil (C2) consisted of a mid-greyish brown sandy clay with moderate stone. No archaeological features were identified with the footprint of the development during the monitoring works.
However, one area to the northeast of the site remains to be monitored, directly adjacent to monument DU021-032—- (Field System). At present, this area is being used for the storage of excavated soils from the already monitored areas of the site. This area will be monitored once the archaeologist is informed of the client’s intentions to begin the removal of topsoil within this area.