2009:279 - METRO NORTH, Dublin

A team of archaeological directors from CRDS Ltd carried out a programme of monitoring of geotechnical trial-pits and boreholes in advance of development of Metro North. Only trial-pits and boreholes identified by the RPA archaeologist as being of archaeological potential were monitored.
The trial-pits were located within four principal areas, all of which are in Dublin city and county:
Metro North enabling works: O’Connell Street substation
Metro West: advanced contamination testing
Luas BXD: preliminary ground investigation
Metro North enabling works: Ballymun sewer
Three areas of archaeological potential were identified at Dominick Street (BXD BH 002), at Broadstone Station (BXD BH 006) and the Mater Hospital (MN TP 004).
An underground basement was identified at Dominick Street. BXD BH 002 was dug under the footpath close to the kerb line. At 0.95m a mortared brick structure was encountered with a hole revealing a void underneath measuring 1.7m. The structure appears to be an intact (barrel?) vault from one of the original Georgian (18th-century) houses that lined the street. The presence of the vault would suggest that construction of the Dominick Street flats left the basements under the footpath sealed and intact. The prospect therefore exists for further basements to survive under the street (c. 1m below street level) from Dominick Lane to Parnell Street.
A piece of post-medieval (17th-century) pottery was identified at the site of the proposed Broadstone station. It was recommended that prior, to any further works at this location, archaeological testing be carried out. A possible underground basement was also identified at the Mater Hospital. No other archaeological features were identified and no new areas of archaeological potential were identified.