1997:166 - DUBLIN: 2–5 Meath Market, South Earl Street, Dublin

Archaeological assessment of the development site at 2–5 Meath Market, South Earl Street, Dublin 8, was undertaken on 16 and 17 December 1996. The assessment revealed substantial remains of archaeological significance, and it was suggested that the site of the medieval Abbey of St Thomas had been located in the development area. Further testing was carried out over a five-day period, from 21 to 27 January 1997, to determine more fully the nature and extent of the archaeological remains.

The site lies within the precinct boundary of the Augustinian Abbey of St Thomas the Martyr, founded in March 1177 by William fitz Audelin, a deputy and kinsman of Henry II. The abbey possessed extensive lands in many parts of Ireland as well as in Dublin, and reputedly owned over 2300 acres of land and received many grants.

In the early 14th century, the already considerable powers of the abbey were further increased by the grant of the privileges of a liberty. The lands of St Thomas were granted in 1545 to Sir William Brabazon, whose line later became earls of Meath.

The area of the proposed development was opened by mechanical excavator. A large L-shaped trench measured 25m north-south by 9m east-west along the western side of the site and 12m east-west by 7m north-south along the northern side. Most of the area was cleared of modern intrusive material by rapid shovel scraping. Deep wall foundations of post-medieval date (18th-century) were left in situ. More shallow red brick and limestone wall foundations of recent date were removed by machine, to expose the underlying late medieval/post-medieval deposits.

Deposits of archaeological significance were uncovered over the entire area of the development. No excavation of the archaeological deposits was carried out, but it is possible to determine several phases of activity on the site from the combined results of the earlier test-trenches and the machine clearance.

On the basis of the assessment several conclusions can be reached. The site is part of the former grounds of the medieval abbey of St Thomas the Martyr. The south wall of a substantial building extends for the full east-west length of the development. Remains of an in situ medieval decorated tile pavement survive within the stone-walled structure. Considerable quantities of whole floor tiles were recovered from the red brick debris to the east end of the northern trench. This indicates that the entire east end of the building may have a tile floor; how much of this remains in situ has not been determined. The incidence of in situ pavements is extremely rare.

There is a considerable amount of demolition material, consisting of roof slates, window glass, fragments of dressed oolitic limestone (some of which appear to have been burned), mortar and wall render, and ceramic floor tiles. The cumulative evidence suggests, therefore, that the church of the abbey of St Thomas the Martyr has been located. Marked on Speed's 1610 map as 58 St Thomas Court, lying south-east of St Catherine's Church, in Elliot's (1634) drawing at the south end of Little Thomas Court, the representations of both are in some agreement as to the nature and layout of the buildings in the early 17th century. Speed's map depicts a large walled enclosure, one end of which is occupied by the two courtyards of St Thomas. It is likely, however, that the fortified area in its entirety is the precinct of the abbey, encompassing as it does the watercourses and mills on the abbey lands.

The development site was subsequently acquired by Dublin Corporation, in a land-swop with the developer.

25a Eaton Square, Terenure, Dublin 6W