1997:623 - WICKLOW: South Quay, Wicklow

Archaeological test-trenching was carried out as part of an impact assessment of a proposed development site at South Quay, Wicklow. The site was roughly 22m long and between 11m and 17m wide. It is located on the north side of South Quay and backs onto the river. It lies within the zone of archaeological potential of Wicklow town.

The investigation was based on one long transect at the western side of the site and a second short trench at the eastern side, each of which revealed the same profile of fill and underlying soils. The harbour area has not yet yielded evidence for early medieval activity and none was revealed during this or a previous investigation.

The two test-trenches revealed that the quay wall defines the limit of an area filled sometime during the 18th century. Prior to that time a buried sod-type layer revealed below the fill material indicates that the river shoreline extended as far as this location. Beneath it was an organic muddy silt, suggesting that the sod had developed in an area that may have been close to high-water mark and subject to periodic inundation. Excavation through the stratified fill material was difficult and dangerous owing to collapse. Much of the fill was redeposited sand and gravel.

The material revealed appears to have been dumped in behind the present quay wall at the time it was constructed (modern concrete repairs have been made in a number of locations, including along a portion of the riverfront part of this site). The original masonry quay wall was probably constructed at the same time as the fine stone bridge which crosses the river close by upstream. The proposed development will rest on foundations supported by 28 no. 300mm x 300mm precast piles, which will support 300mm x 600mm dp. beams. There should be no further archaeological requirements for this site.

Rath House, Ferndale Road, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin