2003:532 - DUBLIN: Dry Goods Market, Iveagh Markets, Francis Street, Dublin

Iveagh Markets is situated on the site of the medieval Fair Green, between Lamb Alley and Francis Street. The final phase of excavation was confined to an area approximately 20m east–west by 4m, located at the south-west corner of the Dry Market, which had previously been excavated to post-medieval level by Franc Myles (Excavations 1999, No. 202, 99E0261). The excavation took place over four weeks, within an area which corresponded with Building I (i, iii) and Building J (i, ii) of the previous excavation. The natural subsoil was consistent with that identified elsewhere on-site and was found between 11.844m OD (E) and 11.759m OD (W).

Two distinct phases of archaeological deposition, datable to the medieval and post-medieval periods, were identified. The medieval phase was characterised by a series of intercutting pits. Confined to the western quadrant of the excavation, these pits were cut into natural subsoil and were immediately overlain by post-medieval Building I (iii). The largest pit measured 4.4m east–west by 3.5m and had a maximum depth of 1.5m. A range of medieval pottery, including Saintonge ware, was recovered from these features.

The post-medieval phase was characterised by a series of pits and two buildings (previously recorded as I and J) with associated deposits and drains. The results of this phase correlated with those of the earlier work and showed the post-medieval phase to directly overlie the medieval phase in the south-western corner of the site, implying that the area was either open (yard, back garden) or that a level of site clearance had taken place prior to the construction of the 17th-century phase of building.

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