Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

The enclosing graveyard wall around St. Doulaghs Church (DU015-009001-) has a distinct curve in the SE quadrant. In 1977 there were traces of bank visible to N of the graveyard (OPW Report). This may indicate a former ecclesiastical enclosure in the environs of St. Doulagh's Church. Excavation undertaken at this site during 1990 revealed a well-defined ditch which was interpreted as part of the ecclesiastical enclosure revealed to the south of the site (Swan 1991, 24).
Geophysical survey (Licence 09R 165) has been undertaken for the Friends of St Doulaghs. The well-defined enclosure (c.162m diam.), extends into the fields about the northern, southern and western perimeter of St Doulagh’s church and graveyard. The eastern limit has been truncated by expansion of the Malahide road. Within the enclosure is an array of archaeological activity, comprising a network of enclosure remains, a dense scatter of pits, gullies, and associated features. Evidence of industrial activity in the form of possible kiln locations and associated features has also been recorded, with annexes annexes to the north.

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout

Updated by: Christine Baker

Date of upload: 25 January 2015

References

Nicholls, J. 2009b Geophysical survey report, St Doulagh's Church, St Doolaghs townland, Co. Dublin (Licence no. 09R165). Unpublished report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Swan, D.L. 1991b Killininny, Oldcourt. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1990: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 27. Bray. Wordwell.

Swan, D.L. 1991a Church of St. John, The Evangelist, Coolock. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1990: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 25. Bray. Wordwell.

Swan, D.L. 1990 St. Doulagh's, Balgriffin. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 1989: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 18-19. Bray. Wordwell.