1995:197 - DROGHEDA: Dyer St., Louth

Four test-pits were excavated on the north side of Dyer St. for the purpose of establishing the depth of the archaeological stratigraphy in advance of road-widening and the laying of the North Bank Interceptor Sewer (Excavations 1994, 63). The site consisted of eleven properties, Nos 20–29 Dyer St. and 14 Shop St. The test-pits were excavated by hand, one in an open yard and three through the floors of standing buildings.

The investigation confirmed that substantial archaeological deposits are present for most of the length of the street, in places within 0.3m of the present ground surface, and extending to an average depth of 1.75m. The medieval deposits overlying natural sand were 0.7–1.35m in thickness and consisted of dark occupation layers containing pottery, bone, shell, ash and charcoal resting on prepared floors of clay, sand or gravel. Up to seven floor levels were recorded, with evidence for hearths and walls/footings noted. Under the shopfronts and within 0.25m of the floors of Nos 21–22 Dyer St. was a stone wall at least 1.1m wide and 0.9m high. The wall had a footing which, in turn, stood on a broad raft of loose stone excavated into the natural sand. Ham Green and Saintonge pottery was present in the surface of the sand, which sealed the footing of the wall. Post-medieval deposits of archaeological interest ranged in depth from 0.2m to 0.7m.

The finds included 60 sherds of medieval and post-medieval pottery and two decorated medieval floor-tile fragments.

Seven of the buildings were demolished in December 1995, with the remainder to follow in early 1996. A survey of the buildings in advance of demolition uncovered a series of oak beams in the party wall between Nos 21 and 22 Dyer St., which appear to be the remnant of a half-timbered house.

6 St Ultans, Laytown, Drogheda, Co. Louth