2014:208 - Creation Arcade, Duke Street, Dublin 2, Dublin

The site was located on Duke Street, extending south towards the junction of Duke Street Upper and Lemon Street and eastwards to Grafton Street. The buildings comprising the present Arcade are two- to four-storey buildings, over basement in some places. The plan is a redevelopment of the entire arcade, in three phases. The Grafton Street buildings of this complex are not planned for demolition and reconstruction, though some new drainage will be constructed within them.

Monitoring of the development during 2014 was a continuation of that undertaken in 2013. In 2014, digging was located in the south-east area of the site and consisted of the digging of trenches for beam foundations to a depth of approximately 1.2m and a lift shaft foundation 2.2m below site level. Pilings for these foundations had been previously installed.

Fifteen post-medieval structures were exposed throughout the course of the work including a number of foundations, several clay and metal sewerage pipes, two modern manholes, an oil tank enclosure and some brick wall sections. Along with these structures there were several pit features. The majority of these structures and pits were located in the western half of the site of along the southern and eastern boundary, while a large area on the eastern half of the site was relatively untouched with the natural boulder clay directly below demolition rubble.

Judith Carroll & Company Ltd, Consultant Archaeologists, Ballybrack Road, Glencullen, Dublin 18