2020:422 - GRANGEGORMAN LOWER: Grangegorman Academic Hub, Dublin

These are the preliminary results of an archaeological excavation at Academic Hub, Grangegorman undertaken on behalf of Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) in advance of proposed development comprising change of use and works to North House East (part of ‘Top House or North House’ – Protected Structure No. 3282).

Analysis of the historic mapping has revealed that the site was previously situated on agricultural lands associated with the medieval manor at Grangegorman. From the late 18th century, construction of various institutions commenced across the wider Grangegorman area, with the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum within the development area being constructed in 1854. Fire damage to the main southern wing and associated buildings to the north occurred in the 1950s and their subsequent demolition was undertaken in the early 1980s. The current upstanding remains of the Asylum consisting of the ‘Top House’ and the GDA/DIT office building, were constructed between 1869 and 1909.

The excavation uncovered a substantial portion of the western side of the southern wing of the former Richmond District Lunatic Asylum. Three phases of activity were established from the identified remains: Phase 1 was associated with activity pre-dating the construction of the District Asylum in the form of agricultural furrows. Phase 2 was associated with the initial construction in 1854. The foundation walls of some the interior rooms of the western arm of the southern wing were uncovered, including two cells, a main corridor, a lavatory, a large day room and a room for the attendants. Phase 3 related to a phase of expansion of the facility undertaken from 1869 to 1899 which saw a toilet block extension added to the northern section of the southern wing.

Post-excavation analysis of the artefacts recovered from the excavation is ongoing.