2006:1363 - Main Street, Dunleer, Louth

A programme of pre-development testing was undertaken in November 2003 at Lower Main Street, Dunleer, Co. Louth. Prior to testing, a derelict two-storey house and outbuildings were demolished. Five test-trenches, 2m wide and totalling an overall length of 92m, were excavated.
A considerable amount of disturbance was evident on the site, with a concrete sewer situated along the northern perimeter and the house and associated buildings located in the eastern and southern parts of the site. A possible clay surface was identified in the area of the house and has been interpreted as a sealing layer for a foundation or a possible floor surface in a cellar or half-cellar. A single course of red-brick wall, which corresponded to a demolished outbuilding, was also identified. A number of other linear features that appeared to be associated with the house and outbuildings were noted. A thick layer of humic material sealed the site, except in the area of the house. Red-brick fragments and occasional sherds of white-glazed pottery were recovered. All of the potential features identified seem to be associated with the demolished house and outbuildings, which appeared to have dated from the 19th century onwards.