What is recorded here

Enclosure in Mooretown (castleknock By.) was a large sub-circular ditched site in use during the Early Medieval Period, between the late 7th and 10th century, with later Medieval activity. It lay hidden beneath a greenfield north of Kilshane Avenue until geophysical survey and excavation revealed its full shape, including a western annex and southern ditches. The modern roadway had already cut through part of it, reminding us that enclosure is often half-lost before it is known.

Greenfield site located to the north of Kilshane Avenue. Recently used for tillage. No surface expression prior to discovery. Now fully excavated. In 2022, a geophysical survey (Detection Licence: 22R0036) identified a semi-circular magnetic response close to a modern field boundary. It measured c. 28m in diameter and appeared to represent the partial remains of an enclosure which has been truncated by a modern concrete roadway. These features were confirmed by archaeological testing in May of that year. The feature was then fully excavated under Licence 23E0720 from October 2023 to February 2024. Site 6 comprised of a large sub-circular enclosure that measured 42m (east – west) by 35m (north – south) in internal diameter. A large curvilinear ditch forming an annexed enclosure was identified to the west of the main enclosure ditch. To the south of the enclosure, a number of intersecting linear and curvilinear ditches were present. Radiocarbon dating has indicated that the Site 6 enclosure was in use during the Early Medieval Period, between the late 7th and 10th century, with some later activity in the Medieval Period (11th – 14th centuries) (Baldwin 2024) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Catríona Baldwin

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