2009:571 - SCHOLES LANE OFF NARROW WEST STREET, DROGHEDA, Louth

Nine test-trenches were excavated across the site of a proposed development at Scholes Lane off Narrow West Street, and to the rear of Nos 77–83 and West End Arcade. The early town ditch, thought to run through the western end of this site, was not identified during testing; however, owing to the presence of standing buildings there was limited access for the excavation of test-trenches on this part of the site. There was evidence for a medieval presence on the site, with dating indicated by 13th/14th-century pottery. Rock had been quarried from the western end of the site from medieval times and up to 3m of deposits, much of which comprised fill dating from the 18th/19th century with some earlier in situ material of 13th/14th-century date, was identified on the eastern end of the site. A pit/ditch cutting into the boulder clay was identified to the rear of No. 78 West Street. A 19th-century cobbled surface was identified to the rear of No. 80 West Street, where it had been laid over a deep deposit of fill.