2020:435 - GRANGORMAN PRINT WORKSHOP, Dublin

Excavations from 3–13 March 2020 were undertaken in advance of proposed Grangegorman Printworks, on the site of what was a portion of the Richmond Female Penitentiary, constructed in the early part of the 19th century.

The excavation area comprised a cutting of 24m by 13m. The results corroborated the various historical and cartographic records of this portion of the penitentiary. Calp limestone foundations outlined a structure serving as a kitchen, and a surface of yellow sandstone slabs represented the kitchen yard. A surface of limestone rolled cobbles and brick foundations to the south reflected later extensions. The sole indication of prior settlement to the penitentiary comprised a shallow layer of clay overlying subsoil containing medieval and post-medieval pottery. The excavation was carried out on behalf of IAC Ltd, County Wicklow.