1998:645 - ATHLONE: Seán Costello Street West (Irishtown Upper), Westmeath

Trial-trenching was undertaken at the site in compliance with a condition of planning and a request from the NMHPS, Dúchas. The proposed development comprised an extension to the rear of the existing Dunnes Stores premises, as well as additional carparking. The work was carried out on 20 and 21 September 1998.

The site lies to the rear of Seán Costello Street West, which until quite recently was named Irishtown Upper. This street, stretching eastwards from the walled town, formed a linear suburb to Athlone that dates to at least the second half of the 17th century, being marked on Philips's map of 1683. (During the 17th century the entire town west of the Shannon was known as Irishtown. Later this term was used for the east town suburb adjacent to the Dublin road.)

The site lies to the rear property boundaries of premises fronting onto the street and was, for the most part, 'greenfield', except for an existing carpark. Furthermore, a small portion of the southern end of the site lay within the boundaries of a previous land-fill area, upon which the Golden Island shopping centre now stands.

Twelve trial-trenches, of varying lengths, were excavated by machine across the site. However, no features or deposits of archaeological interest were revealed. Indeed, it appeared that much of the area had been raised at some time in the past. One sherd of green glazed medieval pottery was recovered from the topsoil.

It can be inferred from the results of the trial-trenching that any settlement during the medieval and post-medieval periods was confined to along the street front or to an area between the northern limit of the testing and the street front.

It was recommended that no further archaeological involvement was required at the site.

39 Kerdiff Park, Monread, Naas, Co. Kildare