2001:837 - CARLINGFORD: Back Lane, Louth

A development involving the demolition of a modern garage and construction of six townhouses and two commercial properties was proposed for the site in this historic town. An assessment of the site was undertaken, involving the excavation of three trenches. The site is located to the north of the remains of a late medieval house and to the west of a late medieval tower-house. It slopes dramatically from Back Lane on the west to Newry Street on the east. The severe slope of the site and its local name of ‘the herb garden’ suggested that archaeological deposits would be scarce, and indeed the stratigraphy within the trenches consisted primarily of garden soils. However, in Trench 1 a linear feature was revealed cutting into the natural subsoil. Although its significance is uncertain, further work will be required in order to fully resolve its function and date. A wall exposed in Trench 2 may represent the north wall of the late medieval house whose southern gable still stands on the adjacent site to the south. The development will involve significant landscaping of the site and removal of the post-medieval garden soils. Such work will certainly destroy features and/or deposits below and within these soils and therefore further archaeological resolution has been recommended in advance of the development.

15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth