- 58-59 Ropewalk, Drogheda, Louth

Archaeological monitoring and excavation were carried out at 58-59 Ropewalk, Drogheda, Co. Louth between April and October 2021. The site is located near the junction with Magdalene Street, south of Patrick Street, and to the east of Moores Lane in the north of Drogheda town. The site consisted of a former semi-detached building (Nos 58 & 59) that fronted onto Ropewalk with access to the back yard along its eastern extent. The back yard contained a large farm building and some ancillary buildings and during monitoring the floors and foundations of these were removed. The entire site is located in the Zone of Archaeological Potential associated with the nearby Dominican Friary, LH024-041001. Furthermore, the site is located within the medieval town of Drogheda (LH024-041) and is adjacent to the line of the medieval town wall to the north. Two phases of test trenching under licence 15E0374 were previously carried out on this site in 2015 and confirmed the presence of archaeological features and deposits.
The site was divided into two areas – Area A and Area B. Archaeological monitoring of the northern and eastern side of the site (Area A) was conducted between April and May 2021. This area contained a number of archaeological features which were recorded for preservation in situ. These included pits, linear features and structural remains, probably walls relating to the Dominican Abbey. Features containing human remains identified in 2015 included a double burial and two charnel pits. These features were considered vulnerable and were excavated. All other features were preserved in situ after recording of their uppermost level below a new surface car-park.
Following the archaeological monitoring of the demolition of the house within Area B to the south and southwest of the site, the area was cleaned, and archaeological features were subsequently identified. These features would be directly impacted upon by the proposed building and were excavated in October 2021. The features uncovered in Area B include a lime kiln, a possible well, several large pits, structural remains, a small portion of a tiled floor and a linear feature.
As the north-east corner of Area B, where the position of a landscape courtyard is proposed, has high potential for archaeological features and structural remains, it is proposed that this area be preserved in situ with proper mitigation and no groundworks shall take place in this area. Further monitoring will be required during the construction phase.

Unit 21 Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth. A92 DH99.