2025:374 - Broomhall, Keatingstown, Wicklow, Wicklow

Two Phases of test excavation were undertaken at the site. Phase I test excavation was carried out across the northern (residential) portion of the proposed development in May 2025. Phase II testing was undertaken across the southern (playing pitch) portion of the site in November 2025. They were targeted to assess the findings of geophysical survey (25R0067) as well as general archaeological potential of the site.

Phase I Test excavation was undertaken across the northern (residential) portion of the site on 29 May 2025. Three test trenches were excavated totalling 254 linear metres. The topsoil measured between 0.02–0.1m in depth, suggesting that this portion of the site might have been stripped and levelled in the recent past. The subsoil comprised light yellowish-grey sandy-silt with high concentrations of small stones and patches of gravel. The curvilinear anomaly discovered during geophysical survey and interpreted as potential archaeology appeared as a natural change within the geology of the subsoil. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded during test excavation.

 Phase II Test excavation was undertaken across the southern (playing pitch) portion of the site on 7 November 2025 under and extension to licence 25E0413. An additional nine test trenches (T4–T12) were excavated totalling 603 linear metres. The topsoil measured between 0.1–0.25m in depth. It covered an orange/brown natural gravel. The gravel was observed above a compact orange stony clay subsoil with some bedrock showing at the surface. The linear anomaly discovered during geophysical survey was not visible on the subsoil surface of Trench 5 and was consequently interpreted as a natural variation. Nothing of archaeological significance was recorded during test excavation.