2015:471 - Mount Argus, Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W., Dublin

An archaeological impact assessment was undertaken in advance of a proposed residential development comprised of 184 dwelling units in eight buildings, crèche, community building, 281 basement car parking spaces and 190 bicycle spaces.  The development site adjoined the curtilage of a protected structure; Mount Argus Church and included the partial demolition of the existing wall and railings, part of which bound the curtilage of the protected structure.  

The Dublin City Development Plan 2011-17 lists two Protected Structures within 300m of the development - Church of Ireland (now in use as a Russian Orthodox church) and Mount Argus Church.  

Recorded monuments within 250m of the development - a water course (DU018-043004), a water course (DU018-043002), regulating weir, the 'stoneboat' at the Tongue' (DU018-043003) and an 18/19th C house, Mount Jerome (DU018-049).  

5 test trenches were planned and investigated.  

Trench 1 (NNW-SSE): This was excavated to a depth of 2.9-3m+.  Beneath the sod layer, a 1m+ depth of moderately compacted, mid-brown introduced soil contained modern building debris (concrete blocks and slab, modern red brick, plastics, modern tile). This overlay a deeper, 1.5m+ layer of loose, dark brown soil containing a large amount of modern building debris (tarmac, polystyrene, modern brick, a cut tree truck). At a depth of approx. 25.m+, a pale grey sandy silt subsoil with red brick inclusions and possible traces of wall foundations were observed in three areas along the length of the trench.  These were interspersed with areas of soft, black silt. Due to the depth of the trench and the nature of the overburden, it was not possible to safety enter the trench for closer inspection. The water table was also encountered at this level, rendering a visual assessment of any potential exposed remains very fleeting.  

Trench 2 (NNW-SSE): This was excavated to a depth of 1.8-3m+.  Beneath the sod layer, a 0.2-0.3m depth of moderately compacted, mid-brown introduced soil contained modern building debris (modern red brick and plastics). This overlay a deeper, 1-1.5m deep layer of loose dark brown/black soil, with a moderate amount of modern building debris (less than in Trench 1). A concrete water pipe and a compact (possibly concrete) surface were exposed at the N end of the trench at an approx. depth of 1.7m.  A pale grey sandy subsoil was exposed S of the compact surface, and investigated to a depth of approx. 2.2m+. Traces of a possible wall foundation were observed on the subsoil.  Further S along the trench, modern black plastic was excavated from sterile grey subsoil, confirming the depth of subsoil disturbance in this area. An old gas pipeline, surrounded by an area of collapse, was also identified. As in Trench 1, due to the depth of the trench and the nature of the overburden, it was not possible to safety enter the trench for closer inspection of any observed potential features.

Trench 3 (NNW-SSE): This trench was excavated to a depth of 0.2-3m.  A concrete slab surface was uncovered immediately below the sod layer at the N end of Trench 3. The slab measured approx. 10cm in thickness. The remains of a rubble stone wall were uncovered immediately to the S, from which extended concrete wall footings (measuring 2.1m N-S, 1m E-W x 0.25 wide). Remains of a red brick floor lay in situ at the S end of the footing. A second concrete wall footing (measuring 2.4m N-S, 0.75m E-W x max. 0.5 wide) was exposed further S along the trench. A large tree stump was encountered towards the S end of the trench, surrounded by a 1.2m+ depth of infilled soil with large quantities of modern building debris. Soft fill at the S end of the trench allowed excavation down to a water pipe, at an approx. depth of 3m.

Trench 4 (NE-SW): This was excavated to a depth of 1-1.9m.  The trench transected a large pit backfilled with soil containing modern building debris (concrete blocks, plastic, modern red brick). The edges of the trench were unstable and having reached a depth of approx. 1.9m, excavation ceased.  This revealled nothing of archaeological significance.  

Trench 5 (NE-SW): This was excavated to a depth of 2-2.5m.  An infill layer of loose mid-brown soil and modern building material lay beneath the sod layer. Beneath this, a deep layer of dark brown/black soil with modern building debris (modern red brick, concrete blocks, plastic) and occasional rubble stone and old red brick fragments overlay and partially abutted the remains of a red and yellow brick wall. The bricks were bound with lime mortar and appeared to have been externally rendered. Both sections of the SSE-NNW orientated wall were clearly visible in the section faces of Trench 5. Due to the depth of the trench and the loose nature of its sides, it was not possible to safety enter for closer examination of the walls. The walls appeared to be approx. 0.5m high x 0.3m wide. It does not lie on the same orientation as the extant length of rubble stone wall, and may represent a garden or boundary wall.

The excavation of five test trenches within the development area, specifically targeting the site of the former mill complex, uncovered much evidence for the use of the site in recent years as a dumping ground for soil and building debris. While brick walls were identified in Trench 5, evidence for stone and concrete walls in Trench 3, and possible stone wall foundations in Trenches 1 and 2, the extensive structural remains that might be expected were not exposed in these test trenches. The mill was demolished c.1984 and clearing of the site at that time may have substantially removed structural elements – including sub-surface remains – associated with the mill. The backfilling of the site with soil and modern building debris in more recent years may have resulted in further truncation of remains, for e.g., plastic was identified at a depth of approx. 2.5m+ in Trench 2. The general lack of finds, apart from one earthenware rim sherd and two sherds of stoneware (both post-medieval) may support this theory.

The results of this investigation do not preclude archaeological and structural remains being uncovered throughout the rest of the development site. James Hession (2008:463) identified the former course of the River Poddle and associated millponds in the NW of the site and a post-medieval building associated with the 19th century milling complex.

Shanarc Archaeology Ltd, 39A Hebron Business Park, Hebron Rd, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny