2000:0678 - DUNDALK: 23 Park Street, Louth

Pre-development test excavation of the proposed extension to a shop unit at 23 Park Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, was carried out on 22 June 2000. The site is located within a suburb of the medieval town of Dundalk, within the zone of archaeological potential. While the town is thought to have been established in the 13th century, the suburb known as Upper End or Upper Part has later origins, dating perhaps from the 14th century. A town plan of Dundalk published in 1680 refers to Park Street as Upper End Street and depicts its present-day north-east/south-west alignment, with properties established on both sides and along the full length of the street. This layout is depicted, albeit with slightly more intense settlement, on later OS maps. No. 23 Park Street is located almost midway along the length of the street, possibly beyond the earliest development of the street, as the earliest references are to the northern end, closest to Earl Street and Francis Street.

A single trench measuring 10m x 1.2m and 1m in depth was opened using a mechanical excavator fitted with a toothless bucket. The proposed development had a maximum depth of 0.45m. Excavation was through a series of 20th- and 19th-century deposits consisting of gravel fills and redeposited, natural, 18th- and 19th-century garden soils containing redbrick rubble and mortar, and a motor vehicle inspection pit built when the rear of the site served as a garage. The relatively recent site usage had removed all evidence of earlier occupation of the site. As nothing of archaeological significance was revealed, it was recommended that the development be allowed to proceed without any further archaeological conditions.

15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth