2015:058 - 47–53 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin

Monitoring was undertaken at 47–53 Orwell Park, Rathgar, Dublin 6 during pre-construction ground works.The development consists of a partial removal and re-development of stable blocks to the west of Dartry House (Protected Structure Record No. 6249).

Two areas of walling were retained from the former stable block. The majority of this wall fabric would seem to be 19th century in construction date, confirmed by early 19th-century Poole Denby-type ceramic underlying the fabric. Examination of retained walling at the south-eastern extremity of the development area revealed a blocked doorway partially using 18th-century handmade bricks as a surround.

Underlying the retained wall at the northern extent of the development area, the disturbed remains of a stone-lined culvert and cobble surface were recorded.

Within the footprint of the stable block the disturbed remains of both industrial and domestic activity were uncovered. The industrial activity consisted of a number of crown glass roundels, broken crown glass window panes, and tar waste from the coking of bituminous coal. The latter material was found in association with a heavily truncated subsoil-cut linear feature. This feature was interpreted as the base of a coal coking oven.

The domestic activity consisted of a heavily truncated wall footing, one sherd of ceramic, two basal sherds of glass and a quantity of animal butchery waste. Both industrial and domestic artefacts are considered to be consistent with a mid- to late 18th-century date of manufacture.

It is not considered that the artefactual or structural evidence is of archaeological significance. As a result no further archaeological mitigation is deemed to be necessary for this phase of the development.

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