2004:0515 - DUBLIN: 47 Blackhall Place/17–18 Blackhall Street, Dublin

The development at Blackhall Place is located c. 150m north of the River Liffey, within the medieval Oxmantown Green and the zone of archaeological potential for Dublin city (SMR 18:20). A number of sites are recorded near the development area: SMR 18:20(310), the site of a late medieval bowling green c. 40m to the south-west, and SMR 18:20(185), identified as dwellings, c. 65m to the south-east.

Testing took place on 18 and 21 May 2004 using a 20-tonne machine. Six trenches were excavated across the site, revealing an extensive made ground layer at least 3m deep confirming substantial disturbance in the recent past. Testing at the west end showed extensive disturbance due to the presence of petrol/diesel tanks, and along the east part due to the basement of a structure which stood in the area.

With the exception of Trench 1 in the south-east corner of the site and Trench 6 in the north-east corner, a probable archaeological layer (friable, moist, black, slightly organic) was revealed in the remainder of the trenches. Although containing modern material such as small red-brick fragments, it is possible that this may be a disturbed but in situ archaeological horizon. Possible archaeological layers were also recorded in Trench 5 in the east of the site and Trench 6 in the north, consisting of a friable, black clay layer and a friable dark-brown silty clay, although both of these also contained modern inclusions. It should be noted that five of the trenches collapsed during testing making detailed inspection difficult.

No finds, other than modern material, were recovered.

8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin