We carried out excavations at Rathfarnham Castle, a fortified house constructed in 1583 by Archbishop Adam Loftus, in 2014. An astonishing collection of 17,500 artefacts dating to the very end of the 17th century was recovered. We also carried out archaeological work in 2016 and 2017, with additional findings.

For more information and the excavation reports click here.

A fascinating multi-period site was excavated at Brighton Road in Foxrock, Dublin 18. A natural spring provided the setting for Middle and Late Bronze Age (1400 BC to 900 BC) activity in the form of wells and fulachtai fiadh. In the mid-7th century AD a large non-domestic rectangular structure was erected on the fulacht fiadh mound. It is unique in the Irish archaeological record and may have been an early Christian shrine or baptistery, dedicated perhaps to a Munster saint such as Cian. In the mid-9th century the structure was intentionally dismantled and burnt down, which may be linked to the expansion of the ecclesiastical site at Tully.

The final report is available here

The Brighton Road excavation report appendices are available here.

The archaeological site at Butchersarms has been under archaeological testing and excavation from March 2023 to December 2024, and works are projected to continue into 2025.

The excavated evidence dates broadly to the early medieval period/first millennium AD, though Late Bronze Age activity is also present. Two concentric enclosures 50m and 115m diameter in the eastern portion of the site contain a burial mound with c. 300 inhumations and a possible rectangular structure with rounded corners. This is in turn enclosed by a sub-circular enclosure c. 450m forming the parish boundary of Kilmainham dating to at least the late medieval period century, which encompasses a large number of pits filled with animal bone.

This report concludes that the three concentric enclosures may represent a non-ecclesiastical cemetery/assembly site dating approximately to the fourth to ninth centuries AD possibly predating the nearby ecclesiastical site of Cell Maighnean. The site was occupied by a Viking camp in the mid-ninth century and there are numerous artefacts from this phase, including the only two Northumbrian styca (coins) found on the island of Ireland, three lead weights, two Vikingtype spearheads, keys, and decorated copper alloy objects. Of particular interest is the evidence that the pre-existing burial ground was reused by the Vikings in the ninth century for burial.

The preliminary archaeological results of the archaeological excavations in 2024 are set out in Volume 1 here and Volume 2 here.

The preliminary report on excavations in 2025 are available here.

A compilation of plan and section drawings from the 2023 - 2025 site investigations is available in Volume 3 here.

The specialist reports are available in Volume 4 here

A programme of archaeological monitoring took place at the Rotunda Hospital from February 2019 to March 2020. This took place in the clinical block hospital extension; a new services building; an extension to the existing services building; and services linking three zones.

The monitoring programme identified evidence for extensive 19th to 20th century landscaping and disturbance, to a very deep level, throughout the hospital grounds. No evidence for the c. 11th century Scandinavian/Viking cemetery was found. The only discovery of archaeological interest during this programme of works was three walls identified below the Clinical Block in the southwest of the Rotunda. These walls formed the gate or entrance chamber to the Pleasure Gardens, and date to c. 1750.

Read more about this report here.

The excavation at Clonard on the outskirts of Balbriggan, Co. Dublin uncovered an intriguing prehistoric landscape possibly informed and influenced by the wetlands located on the site and by an exceptionally early Mesolithic pathway that survived as a route through this landscape for millennia. Ceremonial and burial monuments from throughout the prehistoric period were uncovered between the pathway and the wetlands along with features associated with the exploitation of the natural resources of this environment. A pollen core of organic material from one of the wetland pools revealed a snapshot of the local environment throughout the Neolithic period.

The final report is available here.

Volume 2 includes the specialist reports, here.

Archaeology Plan have been carrying out excavations near Shankill, Co. Dublin since 2020 in advance of a large-scale residential development. The excavations to date have uncovered an intriguing prehistoric landscape positioned in the narrow coastal plain north of Bray.

While some Early Neolithic activity was noted on the site the earliest substantial archaeology was an arc of Late Neolithic post-pits, which contained structured deposits of broken Grooved Ware ceramics, worked flint and a large quantity of flint debitage.

A number of possible structures and occupation layers were identified nearby that were associated with a large quantity of Beaker ceramics suggesting a Chalcolithic or Early Bronze Age settlement was present in the lower-lying western portion of the site. An Early Bronze Age cremation urn and associated food vessel, both heavily decorated, were excavated on the ridge of slightly higher ground to the east of the settlement. A number of other pits containing small quantities of Beaker ceramics were identified in the vicinity of the urns indicating activity contemporaneous to the settlement to the west was taking place here also.

A large settlement enclosure, possibly dating to the Late Bronze Age based on the ceramic assemblage associated with it, was excavated in the north of the site. While the interior of the enclosure was scarped and little survived, quantities of ceramic, flint, ground stone tools, animal bone and charcoal were present within the ditch defining the enclosure.

To the south of this a probable Iron Age settlement was uncovered associated with two structures and two ring-ditches. A late prehistoric field system also appears to have been associated with the settlement. A number of glass beads and purple glass bangle fragments were retrieved from one of the ring-ditches along with a cache of sling-stones, suggesting the settlement had contacts with Iron Age Britain to the east. Sixteen metalworking furnaces have been excavated on the site to date, which may also be related to this phase of activity on the site. Two cereal drying kilns were also uncovered in the immediate vicinity of the settlement and are likely to be contemporary.

A series of metalled surfaces were identified across the site, mainly on the higher ground to the east. Some of these appear to be associated with the late prehistoric settlement while others date to the early medieval period. Twenty-one cereal drying kilns have also been excavated, and while some may be associated with the late prehistoric settlement on the site, a number of complexes of intercutting kilns were identified post-dating the late prehistoric field system, which are likely to be early medieval in date. One of the kilns dated to the 12th-14 century based on associated ceramics. A large double-ditched enclosure, possibly of early medieval date, was identified on the site during previous testing and geophysics and was preserved in situ within the development.

Post-excavation analyses are underway and a suite of radiocarbon dates are being obtained for the site. Monitoring is to continue on the site next year.

Thanks to Fergal Flannery for the aerial imagery.

Download here:

2021 report Volume 1 & Volume 2

2022 report Volume 1 & Volume 2

This report describes the archaeological monitoring at St Mary’s Place, Dorset Street, Dublin 1, a Dublin City Council development. The site was previously occupied by 1960s Dublin City Council flats, which have since been demolished, and occupies an urban block surrounded by Dorset Street Upper, Dominick Street Upper, Mountjoy Street and Saint Mary's Place, and was known as Dorset Street Saint Mary's Place Flats.

The results of the site investigations are available in the monitoring report here.

Drimnagh castle is an Anglo-Norman castle (RMP DU018-036) located in Drimnagh townland, County Dublin. It was originally constructed in the medieval period (thirteenth to sixteenth century) and has been heavily modified since then in the seventeenth, eighteenth and twentieth centuries.

Archaeological monitoring took place in 2021 on the repair of the outer moat wall of the castle and aimed to record any archaeological remains uncovered in the process. The repairs were concentrated to a small portion of the wall, approximately 3 metres in length, 0.51 metres in width and 1.35 metres in height. This segment of the wall had collapsed into the moat. The aim of the conservation project was to repair the wall as faithfully as possible; by replacing what exists, or once exis￾ted with like materials. In addition, an archaeologist monitored the re￾pair of merlon crenellations at Drimnagh Castle. This included the clearance of the area from rubble, debris and vegetation. Two merlons were replaced and one was repaired. Additionally, four merlons required repointing.

In 2022, an archaeological assessment was undertaken to detail the historical reassessment of the occupation of Drimnagh Castle in order to shed light on the evolution of the building.

In 2023, a Community Monuments Fund grant was awarded for repairs of roof slates, roof lead, chimneys and parapets at Drimnagh Castle. The report also presents a discussion of the possible 13th century phase of construction at Drimnagh Castle and a reinterpretation of the later medieval phases based on site inspections during 2024 and insights from Tadhg O'Keefe. This builds on the 2022 CMF archaeological report.

Read the 2021 archaeological monitoring report here.

Read the 2022 archaeological assessment report here.

Read the 2023 Community Monuments Fund report here.

The report presents the results of an archaeological assessment of a former military stores site on Infirmary Road. The report can be downloaded here.

Three Early Bronze Age burnt mounds and associated features were excavated at the edge of a former wetland pool on a site off Glenamuck Road, near Kiltiernan in 2021. The edge of a burnt spread was also identified at the limit of excavation suggesting a fourth burnt mound site may exist beyond the site boundary to the south. Several sherds of decorated Beaker pottery were retrieved from the fills associated with one of the burnt mounds and an adjacent pit. As this material predates the burnt mound by over 400 years it is likely to be ex situ, but it hints at earlier activity in the vicinity of the wetlands the burnt mounds were associated with.

The results of the desktop assessment and programme of monitoring are presented within a report conducted by Archaeology Plan in 2021.

The results of the preliminary report can be found here.

The results of the final report can be found here.

Archaeological works along James’ Street and Thomas Street to upgrade the streetscape as part of the QBC scheme uncovered the medieval roadway and significant archaeological features around St. James’ Gate, including the remains of the late medieval gate, a possible early 12th century occupation layer outside St. James’ Church, the 17th century city defences, artefacts from a possible tilery off Crocker’s Lane, and human remains near St. Catherine’s Church.

The preliminary findings are presented in this report.

Final report on this fascinating archaeological site at Kilgobbin, Stepaside, excavated by Steve McGlade and team from 2014-2015. The report describes a complex prehistoric landscape of wells, fields and burial, and the varied way the dead were treated.

The final report is available here.

The appendices to the final report is available here.

This report forms part of a Conservation Plan for Kilgobbin Castle, Co. Dublin. It presents the archaeological and historical background of the castle, and the results of a detailed site inspection and photogrammetric survey of the castle following the trimming of vegetation. This work was carried out under the Community Monuments Fund Scheme.

The report concludes that the upstanding remains at Kilgobbin Castle are a chamber- and gate-tower structure forming part of a larger castle, which would have included a bawn, other timber structures, and defensive fortifications dating from the c. thirteenth to c. fifteenth centuries.

Kilgobbin Castle is an important building which forms part of a group of unusual vaulted small residential castles in the southern Pale that share features with both thirteenth century ‘hall-house’ architecture and fifteenth century tower house architecture.

The results of this report can be found here.

A programme of archaeological monitoring and subsequent excavation took place during Phase 1 and 3 of a site in Kiltiernan, Co. Dublin. Phase 1 had three burnt mound sites and several small isolated archaeological features that were identified on the site. They were situated on the east of a former wetland area, which had subsequently become a small bog. Two of the burnt mound sites had surviving burnt spreads and two had surviving structural elements in the form of fence-lines, windbreaks, or shelters.

Prehistoric ceramics and flint tools were also retrieved from two of the burnt mound sites. Interestingly, despite ceramics rarely being retrieved from burnt mound sites, some was previously identified at another burnt mound site near Kiltiernan at Glenamuck North, while the other sites where this has occurred in Co. Dublin are all within 3.5km of the site. This may indicate a specific activity being carried out at these fulacht fiadh sites in South Dublin, though further analysis of the ceramics and radiocarbon dating is required.

Another truncated pit, possibly the base of a trough of a fourth burnt mound site, was identified on the western side of the wetland. Though only the base of the feature survived, it also contained prehistoric ceramics.

Phase 3 uncovered the remains of an Early Neolithic house, defined by slot trenches and postholes. Internal structural postholes were also identified. There was evidence for three phases of construction. Several phases of internal sub-division were identified. Sporadic and shallow deposits in the interior were identified as occupational layers, though these appear late in the sequence of the house. A hearth location was identified in the centre of the house, though the hearth setting and associated deposits did not survive. Numerous finds were identified in the fills associated with the house, including lithics and coarse stone tools, and over 1000 sherds of ceramic. The house was sealed post-abandonment by a layer of silt likely to represent a combination of hill-wash and soil creep given the location of the structure at the base of a slope.

A rectangular area defined by smaller postholes north of the house was interpreted as a fenced off garden or animal pen associated with the house.

Two pit clusters were identified northwest of the house, both of which were associated with ceramics and lithics. Some of these may have served as waste or latrine pits for the settlement with a small adjacent structure representing an outhouse. One of the pits closer to the house had a well-constructed stone-lined base and was fired. This may have been an external hearth.

In addition to the Early Neolithic archaeology, another burnt mound site, was uncovered, the fourth on the site. It was associated with a formerly wood-lined trough, two earlier troughs, and a number of large wells or watering holes. Two structures were identified adjacent to the burnt mound site, one being a small light-weight structure and the other larger and sub-square in plan.

A prehistoric cereal processing pit was identified, along with two small prehistoric kilns. Two large amorphous pits that may also have been kilns were also excavated along with a cluster of pits and postholes that appeared to be spatially organised. They may relate to land divisions as two short sections of prehistoric ditch were aligned on the uprights. Another section of prehistoric ditch with a possible sluice structure was also identified, and may have been used to supply water to one of the structures beside the burnt mound site. 

The results of this Phase 1 excavation can be found here.

The results for Phase 3 volume 1 can be found here and volume 2 here.

Archaeological monitoring and excavation at Laughanstown, Co. Dublin revealed a complex of four burnt mounds associated with a contemporary water management system on lands sloping down towards the Loughlinstown River. Three of the burnt mounds were served by six large wells, with the fourth being adjacent to a former wetland within the river floodplain. Nine troughs were excavated, one of which was previously wood-lined. Numerous associated pits were also identified along with contemporary metalled work surfaces.

Preserved timber planks were retrieved from an adjacent well of similar length to the formerly wood-lined trough, possibly being the remains of the lining. A sample from the timber has been sent for dendrochronological dating. 

Flint and prehistoric ceramic were among the finds retrieved from the burnt mounds and surrounding features including sherds of decorated collared urn. A palstave axe head was also retrieved from topsoil near the burnt mounds during the monitoring phase.

A large post-medieval trackway was excavated in the southeast corner of the site with possible links to the late-18th century military camp (DU026- 127) to the south. Several finds were recovered from the surface of the trackway including copper-alloy buttons, a pin, and numerous iron finds.

The preliminary report is now available - Volume I can be found here, and Volume II can be found here.

A programme of archaeological monitoring and excavation was carried out on the site of a proposed school in Mooretown, Swords, Co. Dublin from April to June 2019. The most significant archaeological feature encountered was a Late Neolithic pit containing the remains
of a Grooved Ware vessel.

To read the full report you can download it here.

A programme of archaeological test-trenching was carried out in Mountjoy Square Park, Dublin 1 and was carried out in order to investigate if any remnants of the original park layout survives beneath the modern paths and lawns.

Five test trenches were excavated by hand in the southern corner of the park. These identified extensive and deep disturbance towards the centre of the park, most likely related twentieth century works possibly associated with the installation and removal of tennis courts in the central lawn and later works regarding circular rose beds.

In two areas outside the disturbance, the remains of two earlier paths predating the existing path were identified. One of these was tarmacadam, and dates to the mid-twentieth century. The earliest path, which survived only in parts as a compacted stone sub-surface, was considerably wider than the existing concrete path and conforms with the 1847 OS map path layout. It seems likely this represents the original path layout of the park designed in 1803. It is also likely, based on the findings in the undisturbed sections of the trench, that the modern ground levels of the park are broadly similar to the historic levels.

Read more about it in the Archaeological Testing Report here.

Archaeological excavations at Newcastle Lyons Village identified medieval plot boundaries and corn-drying kilns. The preliminary excavation report can be downloaded here.

A programme of archaeological monitoring and excavation (License 25E0886) was undertaken in Oldcourt at Oldcourt townland Dublin 24 in late 2025.

This uncovered numerous features including two structures of uncertain date and several charcoal kilns.

The Preliminary Stratigraphic Report sets out the results of the excavation and can be viewed here.

An archaeological monitoring programme and subsequent excavation was carried out on the proposed Parnell Square Cultural Quarter site at 23– 28 Parnell Square North, Rotunda, Dublin 1 from February to October 2023.

The site contained a mixture of pre and post 18th century features.

Seventeen features were dated to the 18th and 19th centuries, comprising nine structural features, five waste pits and three deposits of animal bones. These features were all associated with the rear gardens of the Georgian houses at 23-26 Parnell Square North, formerly Palace Row.

There is also evidence to suggest the existence of a pre-18th century ditched enclosure situated at Nos. 23-28 Parnell Square North, at the crest of a ridge overlooking the Liffey estuary. This enclosure contained the graves of at least eight individuals, male and female, of which at least one has been radiocarbon dated to the c. 9th century, and one was most likely a furnished Viking grave originally found in the 1760s (known in the literature as the ‘Palace Row’ grave). The small iron fragments, clench bolts, and lignite bracelet excavated in on this site may belong to this furnished Viking grave.

You can read the full report here.

Archaeological surveying and test trenching was carried out at the Magazine Fort, Phoenix Park, Dublin in 2015, in advance of works by the OPW for public access during the 1916-2016 centenary. Archaeological investigations revealed multiple phases of construction and repair on the fort ramparts dating from between its construction in c. 1736, and its abandonment in the mid-20th century. A series of reports ranging from 2015-2016 are available below.

The 2015 archaeological assessment report is available here.

The survey drawings from the assessment can be downloaded here.

The 2016 archaeological excavation report can be downloaded here.

Testing in the formal garden of the site was conducted in 2019. The report is available here.

An examination of the loose stone within the fort was conducted. The results of that examination are presented here.

An archaeological assessment of the surfaces at the magazine fort was conducted and is reported here.

The report presents the results of an archaeological assessment of a Napoleonic military fort for Dublin City Council. Download the full report here.

Three reports now up on the Archaeology Plan website!

Archaeological monitoring took place at Puck's Castle, Rathmichael, South County Dublin in 2021, and two following conservation works were undertaken in 2022 and 2023.

The aim of the first stage of conservation works was to secure the monument whilst also minimising impact. Vegetation was removed from the walls of the castle.

The second conservation works focused on the south and east walls, and included masonry repairs to openings in the north and south façade and to the southeast corner chimney. Investigation of the castle ruins identified several phases of construction and a small masonry structure abutting the castle to the south. The results may indicate that Puck's Castle is earlier than was originally thought. The window forms, plank-centred arches, possible external hall, and absence of chimneys and vault point towards a fourteenth century date for the original chamber tower. The identification of the external hall, if correct, suggests the building played an important administrative role rather than being purely defensive.

Additional conservation works were carried out in 2023 in order to repair the north and west facades, capping and repairs to wall tops, and pointing, undertaken by Lotts Architecture.

Read the 2021 report here.

Read the 2022 report here.

Read the 2023 report here.

A programme of archaeological monitoring took place at the Rotunda Hospital from February 2019 to March 2020. This took place in the clinical block hospital extension; a new services building; an extension to the existing services building; and services linking three zones.

The monitoring programme identified evidence for extensive 19th to 20th century landscaping and disturbance, to a very deep level, throughout the hospital grounds. No evidence for the c. 11th century Scandinavian/Viking cemetery was found. The only discovery of archaeological interest during this programme of works was three walls identified below the Clinical Block in the southwest of the Rotunda. These walls formed the gate or entrance chamber to the Pleasure Gardens, and date to c. 1750.

To read more click here.

Archaeological excavations at Seamount Malahide revealed an early medieval settlement built near prehistoric monuments overlooking Malahide.

The report can be downloaded here.

The appendices to the report can be downloaded here.

Archaeology Plan has been working with Westmeath County Council in order to survey Shankill Castle following the archaeological monitored removal of vegetation under the Community Monuments Fund. The survey examined the preservation of the castle and its conservation within the adjoining manor house, but also examined its setting and historical significance. Examination of cartographic and lidar evidence has identified numerous other features, such as possible associated buildings, orchards, a pond and a pre-curser to the existing 18th century house attached to the castle. Site inspections were not conducted as part of this survey however, but would be important for any future work.

Read the report here.

Archaeological monitoring at Clonsilla in 2019 exposed the remains of a medieval field system and a very unusual feature: rows of pits in one of the medieval fields. Each pit was identical (1.60m by 0.50m and 0.35m deep) and arranged in rows 6m apart, and the pits in each row were also spaced 6m apart, and the pits extended over an area measuring at least 80m by 50m. The pits contained few artefacts other than small sherds of medieval pottery. This report defines the finding as a pitfield, and compares it to other pitfields in Roscommon. Various possible functions for the pitfield are put forward, including that they were excavated for military or agricultural reasons.

The preliminary report is available here.

An archaeological assessment was carried out on St. Mary's Church of Ireland, Crumlin as part of the Community Monuments Fund (CMF) project.

This report identifies the church tower as a Medieval western residential tower, an architectural feature of fourteenth/fifteenth century date, most common within The Pale and other areas of Anglo-Norman control in Later Medieval Ireland. Based on this comparative assessment, an early fifteenth century date is suggested for the construction of the tower.

It is possible that there are links with the origin of residential western church towers with the 14th and 15th century crossing towers providing residence for priors and abbots in religious houses, and to the secular tower house, which was the most common residence for Gaelic and Anglo-Irish gentry in 15th century Ireland.

The Crumlin church tower is firmly in the tradition of late medieval Irish architecture and should not primarily be interpreted as defensive, instead concluding that it is the result of better lay patronage and financial resources, and the influence off the tower house tradition.

Read more of this archaeological assessment here.

The report presents the results of proposed works to convert St Patrick’s Tower into a temporary exhibition space. The report can be downloaded here.

A programme of archaeological monitoring was carried out for a residential development at St Teresa’s Gardens, Donore Avenue, Dublin 8 in Summer 2019.

The report can be downloaded here.

The appendices for the report can be downloaded here.

Excavations at a medieval castle and post-medieval demesne house during South Dublin County Council restoration works. The report details ten years of excavations. Download the full report (text) here.

Excavation of a post-medieval and industrial-era urban site in Dublin. Article due for publication in Archaeology of the Liberties (Ed. Myles, F.) 2014.

You can download the published article here.