County: Dublin Site name: BALLSBRIDGE: RDS Simmonscourt
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06E0019
Author: Bernice Molloy, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 718193m, N 732052m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.325519, -6.225754
Monitoring was conducted at the site of a proposed development at the RDS, Simmonscourt, Ballsbridge, Dublin 2. A large-scale upgrading and construction programme in the RDS included the construction of two office buildings with underground car parking fronting on to Simmonscourt Road. This development lies to the east of the site of Simmonscourt Castle (DU010–009).
Geological test-pits were initially monitored in various locations across the site. High levels of contamination were recorded across the site and no materials from the trenches could be handled. Bulk excavation of the site commenced in February 2006. Deposits of 19th-/early 20th-century domestic and industrial waste were identified running across the site. The deposits consisted mainly of cinders and ash, and contained a lot of broken white and brown earthen jars, broken glass tubes and broken glass bottles. There were occasional deposits of butchered animal bone. This material may have been used to backfill or level up ground.
27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
