2003:568 - DUBLIN: Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin

Testing was carried out on November 13 and 14 in advance of the development of a new office building at the Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. Pre-development testing was necessary, due to the proximity of the site to a megalithic cist now located within Dublin Zoo, c. 150m east of the proposed development. This is, however, not the original position of the megalith. The exact original location is unknown but is recorded as being in the vicinity of the megalithic tomb of Knockmary in Phoenix Park. Records indicate that the structure was originally found within a sandpit close to Chapelizod.

Three trenches were opened with a mechanical digger using a toothless grading bucket. The only archaeological feature encountered was a rubble layer in Trenches 2b and 3b. The nature of this layer, consisting of large amounts of building debris, together with its proximity to the Officers’ Mess building, located to the south-east of the development site, suggests that the material of this layer has to be seen in connection with the construction of the Officers’ Mess in 1864. This is supported by the finds recovered from the layer, which also indicate a 19th-century date. No further archaeological features were encountered.

32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2