2005:469 - DUBLIN: Ashtown Castle, Phoenix Park, Dublin

Test excavation was undertaken during September 2005 within the two adjoining walled gardens that are adjacent to the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre and about 400m from Ashtown Castle. This work follows an earlier phase of test-trenching undertaken in April 2005 (see No. 468, Excavations 2005). At this time, test-trenches were excavated at the site of the 19th-century ‘cold-frame’ and ‘vinery’ garden structures exposing low brick walls.

In September 2005, informed by the results of the earlier phase of work, a further programme of testing was undertaken in order to establish the exact footprint and fabric of the 19th-century structures. As this excavation was undertaken to the upper surface of the walls and floor surfaces of the 19th-century garden structures, any earlier archaeological material that may potentially exist beneath these structures was not disturbed. The 19th-century cold-frame and vinery structures were found to be more extensive and in better condition than was previously expected.

The site of the cold-frames is divided into four separate structures: three cold-frames and a stone cellar/tank. Ceramic tiled floors were noted in places. The bases of cold-frame walls exist to about two to three courses.

The frontage of the vinery is delineated by a row of brick piers on either side of limestone entrance steps. Along the rear wall of the vinery is a partially surviving row of brick arches supporting a floor level. Running from the front to the back of the vinery a series of ceramic pipes was uncovered. These features presumably relate to the training and growing of vine plants in the vinery. The bases of vinery walls exist to about four to five courses in places.

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