2018:213 - 23–28 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1, Dublin

A programme of test trenching was carried out at 23–28 Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 as part of a pre-planning assessment. The proposed development area is located within the zone of archaeological notification for Dublin City (DU018-020) although there are no sub-constraints recorded within its immediate proximity. The site is located on the northern side of Parnell Square to the immediate north of an area that once formed part of the pleasure gardens associated with the Rotunda Hospital. The hospital itself opened in 1759 and possessed the appearance of a large, 18th-century country house. In 1764, the great circular room called ‘The Rotunda’, which could hold 2000 people, was constructed. The hospital was then named after this structure. Today little of the original gardens survive, due to the construction of low-grade ancillary structures associated with the hospital and car parking.

A total of six test trenches were investigated across the proposed development area. Excavation revealed a concentration of archaeological activity in Test Trench 2 at the southern end of the site near the street front. Archaeological features recorded at a depth of 0.8m BCGL consisted of a small pit filled with shell and animal bone, an 18th-century wall footing, a deposit of disarticulated human and animal bone, and a possible well feature. This archaeological activity was constrained to the north-east and south-west by Georgian barrel-vaulted cellars. Testing has indicated that a significant portion of the site has been affected by the construction of these cellars.

The human bone disturbed by trenching was retrieved from site and subjected to osteological analysis by a specialist (Maeve Tobin). A minimum number of eight people are represented in the retrieved assemblage including five late adolescents or adults of male and female sex, two young children and an infant. There is potential for this deposit of bone to extend beyond the limits of the current test trenches however it is constrained within an 8m area due to the existing basement to the south-east. Interestingly a sample of bone was submitted for C14 dating indicating activity between the 7th and 10th centuries AD (AD 692-961). These skeletal remains may represent clearance from a nearby burial ground.

Groundworks associated with the proposed development will have an adverse impact on the archaeology identified in Trench 2 and the remains of 18th- and 19th-century cellars which survive across the site. This would be caused by excavation for a new basement level and other enabling works.

Recommendations for an archaeological mitigation strategy were included in the impact assessment submitted with the planning application, which included further investigation in the form of excavation and monitoring.

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