1997:156 - DUBLIN: 15 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin

Monitoring took place at 15 Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1, between 22 September and 7 November 1997. This was carried out in compliance with planning conditions prior to the construction of a proposed hotel with underground basements and water tanks, as the site lies within an archaeologically sensitive zone.

Although outside the medieval walled area of Dublin, Ormond Quay was sited sufficiently close to it to make the uncovering of medieval features or deposits a possibility. Furthermore, its close proximity to the River Liffey meant that there was a chance that early quay walls might be uncovered. By the time Speed's map was compiled in 1610, the area around Ormond Quay was on the outskirts of the city but on the verge of being developed. By 1728, when Brooking's map was compiled, the site and street seem to have been fully established and named.

Monitoring involved the machine removal of existing cellars and basements. As the machines cleared back, the material being removed was investigated and sections were systematically cleaned down and checked.

Cellars with rubble and gravel fill occupied the entire northern end of the site. This material varied between 2.8m and 5.8m in depth. Ash, red brick, concrete, mortar and wood were also observed in the fill, along with a selection of post-medieval pottery sherds and clay pipes. In addition, a single sherd of late medieval local Dublin ware was recovered. There were no earlier medieval sherds or finds. Directly beneath the cellar foundations, undisturbed river gravels were observed.

At the southern, river end of the site the remains of subterranean archways and vaults were observed. The floors of these vaults were still present, approximately 3.5–4m below the present ground surface. These floors lay directly over undisturbed river gravels.

It was clear that the foundations for the cellars and vaults were dug below the level of the natural river gravels. Their construction, therefore, would have resulted in the removal and destruction of any archaeological features, although some finds might be expected amongst the rubble fill itself. However, only one sherd of late medieval pottery was found. This suggests that the site was not, nor had been, of archaeological significance, a conclusion also suggested by the early maps of Dublin, which show that this area was probably not settled until post-medieval times.

103 Cherrywood Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin 22