2025:149 - Kiltipper Park, Tallaght, Dublin
County: Dublin
Site name: Kiltipper Park, Tallaght
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a
Licence number: 25E0456
Author: Maeve McCormick
Author/Organisation Address: Archer Heritage Planning, Unit 1, Tenure Business Park, Co Louth A92 K2VF
Site type: Burial ground
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 708612m, N 724713m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.261635, -6.372027
Human remains were discovered during construction of a viewing platform at Kiltipper Park, Tallaght, Co. Dublin. The relevant bodies were informed (Coroner, Gardaí and National Museum), the remains were deemed archaeological and the works ceased. Archer Heritage Planning Ltd has been engaged to carry out an Archaeological Impact Assessment report of the works to date and of any remaining development works at Kiltipper Park. The archaeological assessment was undertaken between 19 and 23 May 2025. The assessment aims to identify and describe known and potential archaeological and cultural heritage constraints within and surrounding the site and offer recommendations for the mitigation of such impacts. The assessment required the footprint of the development to be excavated to required depth or to the first layer of archaeology in order to determine if any additional human remains are present and if grave cuts indicating additional burials or archaeological features can be seen. The footprint of the viewing platform and footpath were excavated to the required depth (0.4m in the footpath, 0.6m elsewhere), terminating if archaeological features were encountered. During the course of the works the following was recorded:
Two modern features: A modern field boundary ditch (C4) and a possible agricultural ditch or furrow (C6)
Human remains and graves comprising 5 articulated skeletons (SK1 C9, SK2 C10, SK3 C7, SK4 C33 & SK5 C23) all with a likely pre-Christian alignment. Four concentrations of disarticulated human bones (DHB1 C39, DHB2 C8, DHB3 C11 & DHB4 C19). Six likely graves (C11, C18, C19, C21, C22 & C24) and 7 possible graves (C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17 & C20).
Archaeological features also encountered included five post-holes (C25, 26, 27, 30 & 31), two pits (C28 & C32) and the terminus of a large, possibly enclosing ditch (C5). The northern portion of the park has already been topsoil stripped and bulldozed to allow for the construction of football pitches and sports grounds with associated facilities.
It was recommended that further work take place prior to any further construction.
Post-excavation analysis will take place once a final decision is made on further works.