1993:049 - DRIMNAGH CASTLE, Drimnagh, Dublin

The archaeological trial trenching at Drimnagh took place over a period of two weeks commencing on 22nd November. The purpose for the trenching was to investigate the archaeological impact of the proposed construction of a workshop in a yard to the south of the tower. The trial trenching was funded by FÁS and the Drimnagh Castle Restoration Committee undertook to finance the post-excavation.

Due to the proximity of the tower it was felt that machine clearance would be unsuitable and thus the trenching was carried out manually. Given the requirements for the construction of the workshops, the trial trenches had to be dug to a depth exceeding the maximum depth of construction. Thus, as the desired depth is 0.4m, the average excavated depth was 0.6m. Two trenches were dug: a longitudinal trench extending north-south and a lateral trench extending east-west. No archaeological material was recovered from either trench and the evidence for activity within the yard reflected the renovations carried out by Louis Hatch to the surrounding wall and the construction of the coach house built earlier this century.