2021:619 - 26 New Street South, Dublin 8, Dublin

A programme of archaeological monitoring followed by archaeological excavation were undertaken at 26 New Street South, Dublin 8, between December 2019 and January 2020, in advance of a proposed residential development.

The excavation revealed three phases of activity all over the site.
Phase 1 was represented by a narrow, shallow linear ditch (9.74m long and 0.76m wide and 0.4m deep) running north-northeast to south-southwest, parallel to New Street South. This feature is likely to relate to 13th-century agricultural activities, or is representative of a medieval plot boundary. Specialist analysis of a ceramic sherd confirmed it was locally made, likely from a wine jug, and dating to the 13th-14th century (Dublin-type ware).

Phase 2 was represented by a sub-circular, deep pit (1.4m long, 1.2m wide and 0.8m deep) with a single, soft dark brown fill containing red brick fragments. This feature is likely to relate to late 17th-century/early 18th-century habitation or industrial activity on the site.

Phase 3 was represented by a fragmentary yard surface just beneath the modern ground level. It is likely that this surface relates to a period when the site was in use as a flour store in the mid to late 19th century.
A granite slab surface was identified at the former entrance into the rear yard of 26 New Street South (C6). Beyond the granite slabs, in the yard itself, the surface is comprised of rounded river cobbles set on edge (C7).

Subsequent ground reduction across the site did not encounter any additional archaeology.

Excavations at the site have generally confirmed the picture discernible from the cartographic evidence – namely that the area was under cultivation through the medieval period, possibly into the early 18th century. After this time, New Street South was formally laid out and house plots were established along both sides of the street.

c/o IAC Archaeology Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow