Fingal has a wealth of archaeological sites ranging from cairns and passage graves to medieval churches and castles. The settlements of Swords, Lusk and Balrothery are of particular archaeological significance with very important medieval structures surviving intact above ground and the potential for archaeological finds below ground. The core of these towns have been designated Zones of Archaeological Potential by the National Monuments Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage, and Local Government to protect their significant archaeological heritage. These zones along with other sites and features of archaeological significance in Fingal are listed by the National Monuments Section in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) and are protected by National Monument legislation. Some archaeological structures may also be considered of architectural merit and so may also be Protected Structures. Recent important archaeological discoveries in North Fingal have been highlighted by the Fingal Heritage Network in its 2009 publication 'Axes, Warriors and Windmills: Recent archaeological discoveries in North Fingal'.
How do I know if a site or feature is a Recorded Monument?
The Archaeological Survey of Ireland has mapped the location of known Recorded Monuments throughout the whole country. While Fingal County Council has sought to incorporate icons indicating the location of RMP sites and features onto the maps of the Fingal Development Plan 2011-2017 (shown as a double blue circle), the Archaeological Survey maps show these more clearly. Copies of these maps are available from the Planning Public Counter in both the Swords and Blanchardstown Offices of Fingal County Council. However, to obtain more detailed information on these archaeological sites you should contact the National Monuments Archive in Ely Place, Dublin 2, Tel: 8883083 Webpage: www.archaeology.ie
What implications does this archaeological designation have on a planning application?
If Planning Permission is sought for works on or close to a National Monument, Recorded Monument, or within a Zone of Archaeological Potential, the file must be referred to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government for comment. It is important that archaeology is dealt with at the start of process, in the pre-planning stage if possible, as depending on the significance of the site or feature planning permission could be refused. If permission is granted conditions may be attached to lessen the impact of the proposed development on the archaeology such as relocating the proposed development within the site, archaeological monitoring of the works, or an archaeological excavation of the site prior to any development of the site. The costs of any archaeological investigations must be borne by the applicant/developer and an archaeological licence will be required to carry out these investigations.
Where works are to be carried out that do not require planning permission but are on or close to a National Monument, Recorded Monument, or within a Zone of Archaeological Potential then the person proposing the works must give 2 months notice in writing to the Minister of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government prior to starting.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government launched a leaflet entitled PL13: Archaeology in the Planning Process which provides further guidance on this issue. You can download this document by clicking on the title or copies are available at Fingal County Council's Planning Public Counters and from the Planning Section of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Customs House, Dublin 1 (Tel: 01-8882000 or lo-call 1890-202021).
What happens if I unearth archaeological objects or artefacts that are not listed on the Record of Monuments and Places?
The Director of the Natonal Musuem of Ireland should be contacted immediately (Tel. 01-6777444) if archaeological objects or ancient burials are discovered that are not included in the RMP, in accordance with procedures set out in Section 19 of the National Monuments (Amentment) Act 1994, and works on the site should stop. The object should not be moved unless this is necessary for its safety or preservation.
How do I get information on archaeological excavations that have been carried out in the county?
If the archaeological monitoring or excavation of a site is required as a condition of a planning application, then an archaeological report outlining the findings must be submitted to comply with the planning condition and will be included in the planning file when it is received. Planning files can be viewed at the public planning counters in Swords (files for all of Fingal excluding Blanchardstown) or Blanchardstown (files for Blanchardstown area only).
A summary of published excavation reports from the whole country is available online from www.Excavations.ie, listing archaeological reports from 1970 to 2008.
