2000:0781 - TRIM: Castle Street/Frenche's Lane, Meath

An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at a proposed development site located at Castle Street carpark/Frenche’s Lane, Trim, on 15 November 2000. The work was undertaken in compliance with a condition included in the grant of planning for the development of the site. The development provides for the refurbishment of an existing building and the construction of an extension to its southern end.

The site is located in the immediate environs of a Franciscan friary site, which was probably founded in the first half of the 13th century. It is believed that the site, part of which was converted into a courthouse in the mid-16th century, lies beneath the present courthouse structure, which is 19th-century in date. Archaeological investigations by Dominic Delany and Avril Purcell associated with the refurbishment and extension of the courthouse, to the direct south of the development site, have revealed in situ human skeletons and short stretches of walls, of probable medieval date (Excavations 1997, 145–6; Excavations 1999, 250–1; both under licence 96E0247). In addition, human skeletal material was uncovered during the erection of street lights on the western side of the existing courthouse (Clare Mullins, pers. comm.)

Two in situ human skeletons and disarticulated human skeletal material were uncovered during the course of the testing. It was possible to determine the limits of such material, which ran in a westerly direction under the present courthouse and to the south. No additional features of note were uncovered. Three sherds of medieval pottery and a fragment of window mullion were recovered during the course of testing.

A suggested mitigation programme, including the construction of a raft foundation and archaeological monitoring, has been submitted to Dúchas The Heritage Service for agreement, although at the time of writing no recommendations have been made.

31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare