1999:250 - KILMAINHAM: 4–8 Bow Bridge, Dublin

The site is on southern side of the ridge of Kilmainham; the Cammock River flows along its southern boundary. The area is of archaeological interest as it is adjacent to Bow Bridge, which is first recorded in the 12th century. It is known that the flat-topped ridge that overlooks the site from the north was the location of Cell Maighean, an important Early Christian monastery. It is thought that Kilmainham was the location of the earliest Viking settlement in Dublin. In the medieval period the Knights Hospitallers had a priory where the 18th-century Royal Hospital still stands. This priory owned a fulling mill on the River Cammock in the 16th century.

This excavation took place in response to a condition in the grant of planning permission for a residential development with basement carpark. The site was formerly occupied by a terrace of 18th-century dwellings with yards extending to the riverbank, which were demolished sometime in the past fifty years. For the past twenty years it has been occupied by a warehouse.

Mechanical excavation of two trenches revealed no archaeological features or remains. Trench 1 ran parallel to the street frontage. A series of basements was uncovered, cut into undisturbed natural. Trench 2 was perpendicular to Trench 1. Here, up to 2.5m of 18th-century fill was found to overlay undisturbed natural and riverine deposits.

Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3