2008:335 - St Patrick’s Avenue, Downpatrick, Down

An evaluation of a site at St Patrick’s Avenue was undertaken between 18 and 24 January 2008. The proposed development is situated between St Patrick’s Avenue and Stream Street and consists of an L-shaped area of land measuring c. 195m north to south by 128m at its widest point. There are 20 recorded archaeological sites within a 1km radius, although none of these is located within the actual boundaries of the proposed development. The majority of these (fifteen) are located to the north of the proposed development site, within the historic centre of Downpatrick, and the remaining five sites are located to the west and south-east. The three closest sites are the possible site of a castle (DOW037–110), the site of the Priory of St John the Baptist (DOW037–102) and the possible location of a tower-house (DOW037–107).
A total of ten trenches were recommended for excavation in the agreed programme of works. However, the presence of a live electricity cable in the southern portion of the site prevented the excavation of one trench and required the shortening of four others. All trenches were excavated through made ground to a depth of 1.2m. In addition, a test-pit 3m deep was excavated along the mid-point of each trench. Subsoil was not uncovered along either the length of any trench, nor at the base of any of the test-pits.
Made ground throughout the site consisted of a mixture of clay and modern debris such as brick, concrete blocks, concrete posts, large metal fragments, large pieces of timber, carpets and broken chairs. A moderate amount of large stones/boulders was noted throughout the trenches.
Nothing of archaeological interest was revealed in any of the trenches or any of the test-pits.