2013:217 - Nicholas Street/High Street, Dublin, Dublin

Monitoring was carried out of site investigations and ground disturbances at the location of a single storey extension at Christchurch Square, Nicholas Street/High Street, Dublin 8. The programme of works was carried out in response to planning conditions attached to the development by Dublin City Council (Planning Ref.: 2604/13).

The development area was located within a triangular block of buildings, bordered to the north by High Street, to the east by Nicholas Street and to the south-west by Back Lane (formerly La Rochelle Street). All of the roads formed part of the medieval streetscape of Dublin City, with the path of the town defences located c. 60m west-north-west of the development area. There were 30 sub-constraints listed in the RMP within 100m of the site. However, many more excavations have yet to be added to this record.

Two bore holes were drilled at the site in order to identify ground conditions prior to the finalisation of the piling plan. These revealed substantial archaeological deposits beneath the existing ground level, commencing at a depth of 1.3-5m. The excavation of site investigation pits failed to identify any archaeological deposits. Piling was carried out on site to construct the foundations of the development. Steel driven mini-piles were used to minimise impacts on the archaeological deposits and tree roots. With the exception of 0.1m of overburden that was removed from the site, no excavation was carried out.

No further mitigation is required in association with this development. However, it is recommended that the area be added as a sub-constraint to the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), so the location of the archaeological deposits is protected during any future development.

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