2019:314 - Belfast Transport Hub, Town Parks and Malone Lower, Belfast, Antrim

Test trenching was carried out at the location of the Belfast Transport Hub development. A total of seven trenches, measuring c.190 linear meters, were excavated across the development area. Trenching in the northern area targeted the presumed location of a building know as 'Brick Hall', on the Williamson map of 1791. Remains of 18th- and 19th-century buildings were uncovered in several of the trenches.

A possible robbed-out foundation trench was uncovered in Trench 1 in the north-west of the development area. This feature was orientated north-east to south-west and had a fill of rubble, black silt and pottery. Brick rubble and pottery sherds appeared to date from the 18th century.

Trench 2 which ran parallel with Trench 1, c. 15m to the south, returned two brick depots. These likely represent rubble from the destruction of the 18th-century structures in the immediate vicinity and could be contemporaneous with the brick from Trench 1.

Trench 3 was located in the middle of the development area. A red brick drain was identified orientated north-west/south-east. Its depth was unknown as it contained a reservoir of water that repeatedly filled the base of the trench. The brick appeared to be of the same type recovered from Trenches 1 & 2 and it is likely to be a feature contemporary with the other archaeological activity noted on site.
A possible wall foundation was identified at the south-eastern end of Trench 3. The feature was composed of mortared sandstone with degraded sandstone around the edges. Beneath was a deposit of mortar with brick fragments contained within a matrix of fine grained dark grey silty clay. This feature was preserved in situ and covered with a layer of geotextile (terram) before the trench was backfilled. A large piece of struck flint was recovered in association with the wall.

It is possible that the architectural remains uncovered in Trenches 1, 2 and 3 represent the building 'Rose Lodge' which appears in the 2nd Edition OS map. This building is likely a replacement of the Brick Hall noted on the Williamson map of 1791. Further displaced and possible in situ archaeological remains may exist within the development area and could relate to these buildings.

In addition to the Test Trenching coring was carried out on the Boyne Bridge, Sandy Row, to establish if the earlier 17th-century Saltwater Bridge was still present beneath the current road surface. Basalt interspersed with gunite in several of the cores confirmed the presence of the of the Saltwater Bridge. It would appear that it can be wholly incorporated within the new road during development of the site.

Irish Archaeological Consultancy, 9 Stranmillis Rd., Belfast, BT9 5AF