2020:047 - Dun Laoghaire Baths, Glasthule, Dublin

The site was located at Dun Laoghaire Baths in the townland of Glasthule. Dun Laoghaire Baths were originally a Victorian-era construction (opened in 1843), though they were remodelled in 1910. The baths have been closed since 1997. They were constructed on the site of a former gun battery from 1804/05.

Monitoring was carried out of all dismantling or demolition work in proximity to the location of any possible historical or archaeological walls relating to the 19th-century gun battery. This involved regular visits to the site to carry out monitoring.

All wall and wall remains identified on site dated to the 19th century and were not part of the former gun battery, but were identified as being part of the original Victorian bath complex. These included the eastern boundary wall of the Victorian baths (1865), which measured c.50m in length, 1.5m in width and had been constructed from cut granite blocks. Three Victorian walls were also observed to the north of the site, in proximity to the Band Stand. They measured c.21m in length (east–west) by 0.8m in thickness and had been constructed from rough uncut stone. These dated to the late 19th century. The east wall of the Victorian swimming pool complex was observed, where it met the sea. It measured c. 0.5m in width and was orientated north–south. It had been constructed from large granite blocks and reinforced in the early 20th century with concrete. A mortared rubble stone wall of late 19th-century date was identified during the works. The wall measured c.2.5m in height x 0.21m in thickness and represented the rear curving sea wall constructed behind a number of Victorian villas/houses depicted on the 1869 OS map. It had been partially capped by modern concrete during the early 20th century. Some dressed arched Victorian doorways were noted and photographed/recorded within the bath complex, but these were post-1865 in date and were not considered to be of any historical, architectural or archaeological significance.

This investigation exposed no archaeological features or finds, nor any significant historical features, nor is there any likelihood that any such features remain to be found within the site. No trace of the battery wall was identified. Where the natural rock face was exposed, no evidence of dressing, facing or cutting contemporary or associated with the battery was identified.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth