2024:776 - Loughton Upper and Milltown, Dublin

Archaeological testing was undertaken at the site of a proposed industrial development located at Grangecastle West, Loughtown Upper and Milltown, County Dublin. The assessment was carried out in January 2024. A total of 67 trenches were mechanically investigated across the test area, which measured 6,787.5 linear metres in total. The test area was primarily split across three abutting areas separated by north–south running field boundaries, with a fourth area to the north separated from the primary test area by an east–west field boundary. Structures related to former water infrastructure and management remain upstanding in two locations in the southern area. The western of the two locations, which comprises a large plastic container and a covered concrete pit containing a macerator, is still fed by an active water pipe and accessed by a hardscaped road surface running north from the southern extent of the site.

Two areas of archaeological potential were identified during testing (AA1 and AA2). Both are located in close proximity, within the north of the proposed development area.

Archaeological Area 1 (AA1):
AA1 was identified within Trench 57 and consisted of two adjacent circular pits. The western pit (C3) was 0.9m in diameter and contained a dense greyish-black clay. The second pit (C5) was located 1.1m to the east of C3. It was 1.95m in diameter and contained a dark black sandy silt with intermixed heat-affected stone. The site corresponds to the location of geophysical anomaly 87.

Archaeological Area 2 (AA2):
AA2 was located within Trench 59 and comprised a single shallow pit or truncated spread of black silty clay with intermixed heat-affected stone throughout (C7). The site corresponds to the location of geophysical anomaly 88.

No dating evidence was recovered from any of the features, which have the potential to date from the prehistoric period onwards.