2021:559 - Memorial Gardens, Con Colbert Road, Inchicore North, Dublin

OPW proposed the widening of the public footpath at the War Memorial Gardens at
Islandbridge and Inchicore. The footpath runs east to west for approximately 830m, parallel to the River Liffey and west of the Dublin University Boat Club in the townland of Inchicore North. The path runs largely along the northern extent of the War Memorial Gardens at the base (6m OD) of a gravel ridge (22m OD). Two perpendicular path offshoots at either end (east and west) of the main path were
also included in this proposal.
The works were carried out and completed during the week ending 12 November 2021. The main footpath was widened by approximately 0.4m along the southern side. The offshoots located at either end of the main footpath were also widened by up to 1m, along the western sides of both paths.
All path widening works at the War Memorial Gardens were monitored by Philippa Barry and Jordan Hanson. No archaeology or archaeological features were encountered. The pre-existing topsoil running alongside the paths was excavated to a depth of approximately 0.15–0.45m. After the removal of the topsoil, it was noted that the underlying material was either disturbed or had been introduced over the natural layers, which were not reached. The disturbances generally
consisted of modern rubbish inclusions (plastic waste, litter), and rubble deposit inclusions (concrete, brick fragments, glass shards). While natural was expected at approximately 0.35–0.45m based on previous testing at the Boat Club (00E0271), the ground level along the path is approximately 0.5m higher. The
depths reached during the soil removal were therefore not close to any substantial level(s) at which archaeology would be expected.

Archaeology Plan, 32 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2