1998:528 - TRIM: Bridge Street, Meath

Trial-trenching was undertaken at the site of the former 'Dean Swift' pub on 17 October 1998. The work was carried out in compliance with a condition attached to the grant of planning in respect of a replacement licensed premises. Before the commencement of the trial-trenching the site was subjected to an architectural and archaeological assessment, following which monitoring of demolition works was undertaken. The site lies on the western side of Bridge Street, on the southern side of the town, overlooking the river and immediately adjacent to the bridge. It lies within the designated zone of archaeological potential of Trim, as defined by the UAS, OPW.

Six trial-pits were excavated by machine. All were excavated through layers of rubble, which extended to depths of 1.6–3.28m below the existing ground surface. Below the rubble the surface of a silty, organic deposit was exposed, which contained fragments of animal bone, shell and wood-chip. Such material is similar to deposits uncovered in other urban areas, which proved to be of archaeological significance. However, no attempt was made to determine the nature and depth of such deposits as the rubble would have had to be removed from a large area in order for any hand-excavation to be undertaken in a safe manner. Subsequent geotechnical investigations at the site indicated that the depth of the organic material was up to 2.3m. The levels of the organic deposits, 50.77–52.79m OD, indicate that the surface falls towards the river, which is hardly surprising given the location of the site with respect to the Boyne.

Consequently, a piled foundation plan was prepared for the site, with the ground-beams/ services a minimum of 0.6m above the highest recorded level on the surface of the organic layer. All piles were 0.25m in diameter, and a grid of 5.3m was proposed.

39 Kerdiff Park, Monread, Naas, Co. Kildare