2018:370 - 25 Quay Street, 2-5 Quay Lane, Townparks, Galway, Galway

Excavation was undertaken after two testing phases at 25 Quay Street and 2-5 Quay Lane in three areas (A-C) in advance of re-development. The excavation produced some very interesting results. It is believed that part of the original de Burgo Castle of Galway was uncovered. This is traditionally thought to have been built on an earlier fortification the ‘Caisleán Bhun na Gaillimhe’ GA094-10072-. The earliest reference in the Annals to this native Irish fortification or 'dún' at the mouth of the River Corrib is from 1124. It is suggested that a curving area of boulders both natural and deliberately set, which were uncovered during the excavations beneath the de Burgo castle, do represent a foundation level of this fortification or dún at the then edge of the river, upon which was later constructed the stone castle represented by the substantial medieval stone wall uncovered by the excavations in Area C. It is hoped that radiocarbon dating will support this hypothesis. Finds were typical of an urban excavation and included medieval and post-medieval pottery, shell, glass, animal bone and a small number of metal finds. A portion of a human skull was also recovered.

32 Nicholas Street, King's Island, Limerick V94 V6 F7