2025:093 - Ballycoolin Stadium, Cappoge, Dublin 11, Dublin

Archaeological excavation was carried out at Ballycoolin Stadium Business Park, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 11. Prior to the commencement of the groundworks, the site was a disturbed greenfield site characterised by overburden and large spoil heaps.

Archaeological features of medieval and post-medieval date were confirmed within the southern boundary of the proposed development site during a previous archaeological excavation (Licence ref. 08E0032 ext.) These excavated features were later placed on the sites and monuments record and were a medieval habitation site (SMR ref. DU014-116001) and two medieval structures (SMR DU014-116002 and DU014-116003). The recorded monuments and excavated features likely formed part of a larger medieval settlement. Further assessment (Licence ref. 21E0773 ext.), in the form of large-scale topsoil stripping, took place in order to assess the extent of archaeological features in this area of the site and to establish the extent of subsurface archaeological features previously identified and preserved in situ (McQuade 2010).

Topsoil stripping commenced on 4 March 2025 and completed on 6 May 2025. An area measuring 35m (north – south) x 40m was cordoned off. The excavation commenced on 12 March 2025 with a team of 4 archaeologists and was completed on 7 April 2025. The site comprised of a stretch of stone wall set within a substantial foundation cut, a series of pits, a stone pathway and two agricultural furrows. The majority of the features produced medieval and post-medieval ceramics. The post-excavation process comprising digitising the archive and the processing of finds and samples has begun and is ongoing. It is expected that analysis of the environmental remains and radiocarbon dating will assist in dating and phasing the site.

No additional finds, features or deposits of archaeological interest were identified during the remainder of the topsoil stripping.