2024:818 - 41-42 Dublin Street/Cox's Lane, Carlow, Carlow

A programme of Archaeological Monitoring of demolition and excavation works was undertaken with respect to Residential Development Works (Refurbishment & New Build) at 41-42 Dublin Street/Cox’s Lane, Carlow.

The site is located within the Zone of Archaeological Potential established for Carlow Town (SMR No: CW007-018001), with the postulated line of the Town Wall Defences (SMR No: CW007-018006) positioned approximately 20m outside the western extent of the site.

The development comprised the refurbishment of Nos 41 and 42 Dublin Street for residential apartment use, together with the construction of a terrace of six houses to the rear and fronting onto Cox’s Lane.

All required demolition works and ground disturbance works, including general surface reduction works, foundation trench excavations and service trench excavations within the site as well as service trench excavations outside the site along and across Cox’s Lane, were monitored. Such excavations revealed extensive disturbance across the site, associated with nineteenth- and twentieth-century developments, including foundations for former buildings, boundary walls and associated soil fills; it was noted that the ‘natural’ subsoils were up to 1m below the existing ground surface, and shallower in places, indicating extensive truncation of such in the past.

No subsurface features of archaeological interest/potential were uncovered by the works. All spoil material was ‘raked-over’ in order to increase the chances of artefact recovery; however, nothing of interest was recovered.