2020:402 - St Marys Hospital, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Louth

Archaeological monitoring and excavation was carried out at St Mary's Community Hospital, Drogheda, Co. Louth in October 2020 at the request of the Health Service Executive. The south extent of the site is located within the zone of archaeological potential of mound LH024-039----, separated by Cromwell's Lane and located c. 21m from the edge of the site. The area to be impacted upon is c.130m to the north of the monument. The site contains no protected structures listed in Louth County Development Plan 2016-2021, the nearest such structure is Teach Muire Parish Centre (RPS ID. DB-365, NIAH Reg. No. 13622061), located 10m east of the edge of the site but c. 80m north-east of the area to be impacted upon by groundworks.

Although the upstanding remains of the workhouse had been demolished and cleared decades ago, the ground floor plan of the majority of the centre and rear of the workhouse survived at foundation level beneath the sod and topsoil and dark brown clay demolition layer that covered the site. No trace of the master's house or accommodation block was found as a modern nursing home has been constructed over the site. The space to the rear of the nursing home and the community hospital, which occupies some surviving structures once belonging to the workhouse, was grassed and used as an amenity garden. It was beneath this portion of the community hospital that portions of the eastern boundary wall, the majority of the infirmary wing, the chapel and the dining room, were identified. Only the base two-three mortared foundation course survived, and no internal floor surfaces were exposed, though traces of brick in the east infirmary corridor suggested that they were bricked rather than of flagstones. Traces of cobbles found against the eastern boundary wall indicated that the female yard may once have been cobbled.

Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth