1999:603 - DUNDALK: Dublin Street, Louth

An assessment of a proposed commercial development at Dublin Street, Dundalk, was carried out in April 1999. The site is to the south of the medieval town, in an area of archaeological potential. The proposed development involved the demolition of a workshop and the reconstruction of an open shed with ancillary services.

Three trenches were excavated on the site. Trench 1 revealed the presence of garden soil in the south-east area, which contained brick, stone and animal bone. It extended to a depth of 1.1m, below which a sterile, grey clay was evident that may be of natural origin. The excavation of Trench 2 revealed disturbed soil containing concrete, brick and stone above a sterile, sandy gravel at 0.6m. Trench 3 revealed a sandy rubble layer containing brick, stone, mortar and fragments of earthenware pipes, overlying a layer of shale and stone at a depth of 1.35m. The natural horizon was not exposed. The garden soil exposed in Trench 1 probably represents the gardens of houses that stood in the area until the 20th century. The foundations for the proposed building will be excavated to a depth of 0.9m and therefore would not have an archaeological impact.

15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth