2004:0621 - ST MACULLIN, Dublin

NMI Burial Excavation Records

County: Dublin Site name: ST MACULLIN

Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E1031

Author: Jonathan Dempsey, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.

Site type: Inhumations

Period/Dating:

ITM: E 715825m, N 734698m

Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.349805, -6.260310

As part of the refurbishment of St Macullin's Church, Lusk, Fingal County Council proposed the excavation of two service trenches for foul water and gas. The church is within the zone of archaeological potential for the town (SMR 8:10). The round tower (SMR 8:10(03)) is a National Monument in State Care. The 19th-century church is a protected structure and both the church and graveyard are in the care of Fingal County Council.

Orientated approximately east-south-east to west-north-west, the service trenches were to run from the north-eastern wall of the church along the present line of the gravel pathway and through the main entrance to the church and graveyard and connect to existing services located under Main Street. Monitoring was undertaken on 12 October, 30 November and 1 December 2004.

Under a layer of made ground c. 0.4-0.5m thick, at least two inhumations in an undisturbed palaeosol were identified. Excavation of the service trenches was halted. The made ground was mainly comprised of material from the demolition of the medieval church, including two fragments of floor tile, which were dated to the 15th century. The palaeosol consisted of a well-sorted, moderately stiff, dark-brown silty clay with occasional gravel, sub-rounded stone and occasional human bone. Some of this bone appeared to be articulated and in situ. The layout of the scheme was altered to preserve these remains in situ. Monitoring is ongoing.