County: Dublin Site name: FINGLAS: Convent of the Little Sisters of the Assumption, Patrickswell Place
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0345
Author: Nóra Bermingham for IAC Ltd.
Site type: Structure
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 713182m, N 739145m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.390325, -6.298401
Monitoring of development works associated with the renovation of the convent of the Little Sisters of the Assumption at Patrickswell Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, was required by Dublin Corporation. The site is within the zone of archaeological potential for Finglas town, SMR 14:66, close to King William's Ramparts, SMR 14:06608, and the site of a medieval episcopal residence established by Archbishop Comyn in 1181. This was succeeded by a large manor or residence recorded as 'Springmount' by the OS map of 1837, the site of which is now occupied by the convent of the Holy Faith Sisters.
Groundworks involved machine-excavation of a foundation trench for a new perimeter wall bounding the western side of the property, as well as excavation immediate to the present convent building. The latter involved the excavation of a lift shaft pit at the northern end of the building, a porch extension on the southern side, and an oratory extension and a new drain on the east side. Excavation in these areas revealed a horizon of made ground overlying geologically deposited strata. The depth of made ground varied slightly but was on average 0.25m.
On the western limit of the property a foundation trench for a wall was opened.
It was 1.1m wide and 1.1m deep and extended for c. 75m southwards, from close to the north-western end of the current property up to a wall bounding a modern housing estate. Excavation over the first 70m revealed c. 0.33m of topsoil, heavily penetrated by roots, overlying natural. A post-medieval wall two courses high, constructed of roughly shaped limestone blocks and mortar, was uncovered at the southern end of the trench. Finds associated with the wall were red brick and green and brown glass. Redeposited natural had been thrown on top of the wall. The wall may have been associated with the later 'Springmount' residence, still in existence in the mid-19th century, or may represent an entirely unrelated construction event. The wall was clearly of no archaeological significance, and the development was allowed to proceed.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
