2025:124 - Oakfield Cottage, Kilgarran, Enniskerry, Wicklow

Archaeological monitoring of groundworks associated with the construction of a residential housing development in Kilgarran townland on the western outskirts of Enniskerry Town was carried out in three phases between 21 March 2024 and 25 February 2025.

The first phase of monitoring took place on 21–22 March 2024, and comprised the monitored excavation of twelve geotechnical test-pits. The test-pits were between 0.6–2m in width, 2.5–4m in length and ranged in depth from 3.1–4.3m. No archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified in any of the test-pits

The second phase of monitoring took place on 3 September 2024 and comprised site clearance and topsoil stripping at the site. Much of the stripped area showed evidence of previous modern disturbance, in the form of buried agricultural waste such as baling twine and large amounts of plastic silage wrappings. The stripped soil was light coloured and sandy, and for the most part appeared to comprise redeposited material. No archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified during the monitored works.

The third and final phase of monitoring took place on 25 February 2025 and comprised topsoil stripping in the last remaining greenfield portion of the development area. This area was located in the south-eastern part of the development area. The ground sloped noticeably downwards towards the north in this area of the site. The stripped material comprised dark to medium brown sandy topsoil. As in the previous phases of monitoring, no archaeological finds, features or deposits were identified during the final phase of monitoring.