2006:607 - THE TIMBERYARD HOUSING SCHEME, Coombe Bypass/Cork Street, Dublin

A large site situated at The Timberyard, off the new Coombe bypass, was excavated in late 2006 and early 2007, following a programme of assessment and testing that took place over the summer of 2006. The site was of particular interest, as its footprint extended over a road (Ardee Row) and a laneway (McClean’s Lane) that were built over in the second half of the 20th century, which provided a rare opportunity to examine the archaeology of roads in this part of the city.

Ephemeral medieval and late medieval activity was noted to the north of the site, where the ground sloped down towards the valley of the Coombe. Generally, however, the earliest evidence for the development of the area dated to c. 1700. The remains of residential structures fronting either side of Ardee Row/Mutton Lane were exposed, incorporating numerous construction phases. Many of these incorporated unusual tile-lined ovens to the rear. The back of the plots had outhouses, rubbish pits and water management features.

The buildings along McClean’s Lane/Atkinson’s Lane were less well defined, and small-scale industrial activity, including blacking, tanning and possibly distilling, were found along the eastern side of the alley. To the west of the site the remains of part of a large 18th and 19th-century iron foundry, which fronted onto Ardee Street, were exposed, and a large and complex furnace system was excavated.

A series of intercutting wooden, brick and masonry water services, culverts and drains were excavated along the length of the laneway and road, servicing the buildings to either side. The earliest phases of these services appeared to be contemporary with the earliest evidence for buildings and the establishment of the lanes. The presence of these services would have indicated the laneways even if no cartographic sources had existed.

32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2