2025:602 - Turvey Avenue, Donabate, Dublin
County: Dublin
Site name: Turvey Avenue, Donabate
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 25E0121
Author: Ida La Fratta
Author/Organisation Address: c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
Site type: Enclosure ditch and associated features
Period/Dating: Early Medieval (AD 400-AD 1099)
ITM: E 722405m, N 750026m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.486002, -6.155596
| Archaeological testing was carried out at the site in 2017 and 2021; these assessments confirmed considerable multi-phased archaeological activity within the central and eastern part of this site. This is in the form of substantial ditches (up to 1m deep), up to 12 smaller ditches, several small linear features (gullies, furrows and drains), two pits, a metalled surface, two spreads and at least two burials. Datable artefacts were not plentiful in either 2017 or 2021. Testing in 2017 had produced sufficient artefactual material to indicate that the features range in date from at least the early medieval to post-medieval periods.
The archaeological excavation of these areas commenced on site on 10 March 2025 and was completed by 13 May 2025. It confirmed the presence of a possibly early medieval enclosure ditch which likely represents an enclosing element to an earlier ecclesiastical foundation of St Patrick’s Church located immediately east of the development area. Moreover, four burials were retrieved within the site, likely broadly contemporary to the early medieval/medieval features. Few medieval and post-medieval boundary ditches were also uncovered. The northernmost portion of the site was occupied by two modern agricultural furrows while an isolated, small shallow pit was recorded at the westernmost portion of the site. After the excavation was completed, archaeological monitoring was undertaken to investigate the possibility of further archaeological features existing in this area. However, no further archaeological finds or features were found.
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