2025:176 - Oghil Lower, Wicklow

Test trenching took place in connection with a proposed development of nine dwellings at Oghil Lower, Redcross, County Wicklow.

The site has experienced significant disturbance in the past. Planning permission was initially granted for four dwellings in 2004, which was increased to six dwellings in 2006. While the layout was slightly amended in 2017, the number of houses remained at six. Analysis of aerial photographs indicates an access road running through the centre of the site, along with the bases of four houses on the eastern half of the site. The foundations of these houses are still visible on the ground. Although the western portion of the site may be less disturbed, a large mound of topsoil from earlier developments demonstrates that extensive topsoil removal has already been carried out.

The proposed development site is located near WI035-021—- (Church) and WI035-021002- (Graveyard). Two test trenches were excavated in May 2025.  A total of 44m of trenches were excavated across the site in the areas that appear least disturbed, mainly on the western side, since aerial photography shows the foundations of five houses on the eastern side. No objects or features of archaeological significance were exposed in any of the test trenches.