1985:25 - DUBLIN: Inns Quay Ward, Dublin

The 6-week rescue excavation resulted from the discovery of medieval remains during the course of the construction of an extension to the Four Courts. The area was bounded on the E by Morgan Place, on the N by the Public Records Office and on the S and W by the rest of the building site, which had been mechanically excavated to bedrock. Historically the site was purported to be occupied by the 13th-century Dominican Priory of St. Saviours, although its exact location is uncertain. The excavation revealed evidence for later 12th/early 13th-century activity, as indicated by the presence of a number of architectural stone fragments, a re-used timber roof-member and a black silty layer containing leather fragments. However, no structures survived from this period. A stone-built channel and timber sluice gate were also found. Dendrochronological analysis indicates a construction date of mid-late 13th century. A series of arched foundations represent the construction to the N of the site of a building possibly in the 16th century. This structure appeared to extend northwards beyond the site limits. There was no evidence for further activity on the site until the 17th/18th century when a number of houses were constructed.