2007:505 - DUBLIN: St Catherine’s Park, Dublin

Testing was carried out during August 2007 on the northern bank of the River Liffey at St Catherine’s Park, as part of the Leixlip–Ballycoolen water supply scheme. Two areas of possible cobbled surface were revealed at the eastern edge of the pipeline wayleave after it had been stripped of topsoil. Furthermore, the remains of a stone revetting wall were also discovered along the northern bank of the river. The total extent of this wall along the river and possible date of the feature were investigated by a specialist underwater unit led by David McCullough of ADCO Ltd (see No. 526, 07E0265, Excavations 2007). Consultation was undertaken with the National Monument section of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, who recommended that archaeological investigation be carried out within the wayleave on the northern side of the river to establish the nature and extent of the possible cobbled areas.

Two small trenches were excavated within the eastern section of the wayleave. Nothing of archaeological significance was discovered within Trench 1. However, the second trench, which was located c. 8m from the river and to the immediate north-east of Trench 1, did reveal a feature of interest. Here a stone platform or surface was uncovered sitting on top of the natural subsoil. The feature consisted of large outer stones (average measurements of 0.36m by 0.28m), with highly compacted but smaller inner stones, which entered the baulk. The area to the south of the feature appears to have been disturbed in the past, whereas the area to the west has been disturbed by works associated with the pipeline. The stone feature measures 1.7m in length, with a visible maximum width of 1.07m. The depth of the feature is 0.2m. The stones slope slightly towards the south and the river, and there were no associated artefacts. During discovery of the corner of the feature a small section of clay pipe was found on the cobbles, which may date to the 17th or 18th century, but this may not have been in situ due to the disturbance that had taken place within the area associated with the pipeline.

The remains of the stone feature will not be impacted on by the pipeline development and have been preserved in situ. It should also be noted that, during the reinstatement of the wayleave, the topsoil was examined in an attempt to identify any artefacts associated with the stone wall along the river and the remains of the stone feature. Nothing of archaeological significance was discovered during this work.

120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow