2020:676 - Little Mary Street, Dublin 7, Dublin

Archaeological excavations were carried out at the Former Keeling’s Site, Little Mary Street, Dublin 7 beginning with test excavation in 2019, excavation completion in March 2020 and final re-excavation of medieval elements and their preparation for public display in May 2022.

The archaeological investigations identified five distinct phases of activity onsite. These were:
Phase 1: c. 1100–1350; Phase 2: c. 1350–1550; Phase 3: c. 1550 1690; Phase 4: c. 1690- 1750; Phase 4: c. 1750–1820 and Phase 5: c. 1820–1900.

The majority of archaeology encountered related to the residential and subsequent industrial development of the site from the 17th century onwards. Prior to this, evidence relating to St Mary’s Abbey was identified. The most substantial medieval remains were represented by a heavily disturbed structure identified mid-way along the western boundary of the site. This structure comprised parts of the northern and eastern walls of a rectangular building that had diagonal buttresses evident at the north-eastern and south-eastern corners and relates to a gatehouse of likely early 14th-century date. A square plinth on the northern wall is also likely to have carried a buttress. The structure had been modified and largely rebuilt in the 17th century.

Full stratigraphic reporting has been completed along with specialist analysis of all artefactual and environmental remains retained from the site. The archaeological mitigation for the development is now complete and the strategy agreed with Dublin City Council Archaeology and the National Monuments Service has been carried out as per the method statements submitted in support of the various licence applications and amendments. The archaeological approach adopted has allowed for a large amount of preservation in situ of archaeological remains, particularly around the margins of the site outside of the footprint of the basement.

The medieval gatehouse and associated later rebuild of same has been preserved in situ, prepared for public display and is now visible beneath a glass floor display off Little Green Street that will open to the public on prescribed days, including Heritage Week, Culture Night and Open House. A display of three A0 panels is being installed in the foyer of the hotel off Little Mary Street to interpret the excavation results to the public. These panels include a detailed reconstruction drawing of what the gatehouse/chapel may have looked like, drawing on best evidence from the archaeological record, historic documents and contemporary sites.

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