Proposals which could save part of medieval castle welcomed

The campaign to preserve one of the most significant archaeological sites discovered in Co Dublin has achieved a notable victory - even if extending the M50 motorway is to also to proceed as envisaged.

Proposals to preserve much of the historic remains of Carrickmines Castle in south Dublin in spite of advancing motorway were last night welcomed by both the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, and An Taisce.

The significance of the castle site was not realised until the dig began almost two years ago.

Archaeologists have found a well-preserved castle wall enclosing 1.5 acres of buildings, workshops, houses, kilns, wells and numerous ditches. Up to 20,000 pieces of medieval pottery have been recovered, as well as coins, cannon balls, weapons, skeletons and textiles.

An archaeological team of more than 100 people were working on the site at one point.

The National Roads Authority and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council have drawn up the proposals which would see much of the existing castle ruins preserved in situ on roundabouts and beside the proposed Carrickmines interchange, possibly as part of an archaeological park.

The medieval castle, which served for years as a garrison fort to defend Dublin against marauding raids by the O'Byrnes and O'Tooles of Wicklow, has been described as a national monument.

However, its significance was not realised when planning was under way for the Dublin C-Ring and it now lies in the path of the proposed interchange on the final leg of the C-Ring, the South Eastern Motorway.

A report prepared with input from Valerie J. Keeley Ltd, an archaeology consultancy which has been conducting a site investigation for more than a year, was submitted to the Minister on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Mr Brennan said he welcomed and was keenly interested in the report and would be visiting the site again soon to evaluate the proposals on site.

Mr John O'Sullivan of An Taisce said the preservation offered by the report was important. He described the proposals as having potential to preserve about 55 to 60 per cent of the remains.

However, he said another An Taisce suggestion, to realign a feeder road and reduce the size of the roundabout, would have allowed for the preservation of about 85 per cent of the remains. He also questioned the need to reassess the farmhouse on the site.

If the aim was to create an archaeological park on site, the house would provide an ideal visitor's centre, he said.