Bronze Age bodies allegedly found on Liam Cosgrave land
By Mary Dennehy
ARCHAEOLOGICAL excavations are being carried out on land in Knocklyon, where it has been alleged that bodies and artefacts from the Bronze Age have been found.
Since October, excavation work has been underway on the Scholarstown Road site, which, called Beechpark, was once home to former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave.
Works being carried out at Beechpark
Bought by Ardstone Homes last year, excavation work on the land, which is earmarked for development, caused confusion locally – as people tried to get answers on the reason behind the dig.
However, it was reported on Independent.ie, that around 60 Bronze Age bodies have been discovered on site, alongside evidence of Iron Age occupation and a ring fort.
While details remain unconfirmed, the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht told The Echo that the archaeological excavations are being carried out under a licence granted by the Department under the National Monuments Acts.
Speaking with The Echo, Rathfarnham councillor Deirdre O’ Donovan (Independent) told The Echo: “There was a lot of concern given the amount of secrecy around the site.
“We were aware that a dig was going on since last October.
“If it is a Bronze Age burial site it has to be preserved… everything that can be done must be done to preserve the site.”
She added: “I will be asking the County Manager [of South Dublin County Council] to liaise with National Monuments and verify the historical value of the find.”
The site is located on the Scholarstown Road
The Echo did contact South Dublin County Council however, a spokesperson said that the council had no information on works being carried out at this location.
According to a statement to The Echo from Ardstone Homes, which has plans for a new housing development on the site: “As part of our assessment of the site we undertook an archaeological investigation under the direction of an independent archaeologist and some archaeological features were discovered on a small portion of the site.
“The investigation and dig currently being undertaken at the site is being carried out by an independent archaeologist under full agreement and licencing of The Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht (DCHG) and under direction of the National Monuments Service,” Arstone Homes said.
“The Archaeological team are cooperating fully with the DCHG and Ardstone are committed to completing the investigation in accordance with all national guidelines and requirements.”
When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht said: “The archaeological excavations are being carried out under a licence granted by the Department under the National Monuments Acts and in accordance with the Method Statement approved by the Department as part of the licence application.
“The Department’s National Monuments Service engaged with the developer’s agent in advance of the excavations and will receive a report of the excavation findings in due course.”
TAGS news
