2025:714 - St Assam's Churchyard, Edenmore, Raheny, Dublin

An archaeological impact assessment was carried out by the writer in 2024, recommending that all groundworks be subject to archaeological monitoring. Subsequent monitoring of engineering site investigation excavations at St Assam’s Church, Raheny Village, Dublin 5, was conducted on behalf of Raheny Shamrock Athletics Club in March 2025. This work was completed prior to the proposed church extension scheduled for late 2026, ensuring the foundations were revealed as part of due diligence. All activities for that aspect of the project were undertaken under archaeological licence number 25E0286.

The proposed development site is located within the zone of Archaeological Constraint for Recorded Monument DU015 082 (Raheny Settlement), which is protected under the National Monuments Amendment Act 1994. It is also situated within the zone of Archaeological Interest defined by the Dublin City Development Plan.

Previous archaeological excavations in Raheny village (licence no: 99E0183) identified a ditch potentially associated with the medieval ecclesiastical site. Additionally, deposits containing medieval and post-medieval artefacts were documented under licence no: 04E0967. An archaeology assessment conducted in 1993 by D.L. Swan suggested the presence of a hypothetical multi-period earthwork enclosing the core of Raheny village, including St Assam’s.

Archaeological testing by Archaeology Development Services in 2009 identified deposits that may represent upper fills of a ditch, indicating potential archaeological significance for this site. The test trenches extended across the proposed development area but did not reach natural ground levels, so conditions below these depths remain unknown.

The first edition Ordnance Survey map indicates a graveyard at the site location, suggesting the possibility of burials.