2026:057 - Sir John Rogerson's Quay and Hanover Quay, Dublin

Archaeological monitoring of GI works at Sir John Rogerson’s and Hanover Quay  revealed sequences comprising modern surfaces overlying variable made ground deposits. These deposits were highly disturbed in nature and contained frequent inclusions of brick, concrete, clinker and other modern material. In several locations, multiple active services, including gas, water and electricity, were recorded and had resulted in significant truncation of the underlying deposits.

Sections of rail infrastructure were identified within ST-02 (Hanover Quay) and two sections within ST-05 (Sir John Rogerson’s Quay) at shallow depth beneath the road surface. These comprised metal rail elements approximately 0.15m in width. The remains are interpreted as elements of former docklands tram or rail infrastructure of industrial date, reflecting the historic transport and servicing of the quay area. Within ST02, a concrete chamber/structure was identified within the made ground deposits, containing fragmented brick, clinker and slag-like material. This feature is interpreted as modern or industrial in origin and is consistent with the broader pattern of reclamation and infrastructure development within the docklands. In addition, a localised deposit of silty clay, distinct from the surrounding made ground, was recorded and is interpreted as a possible remnant of undisturbed natural subsoil surviving beneath later disturbance at the southern end of ST-02.

The results of the archaeological monitoring are consistent with the findings of the cable percussion borehole logs (CP001–CP009), which indicate substantial depths of made ground across the site, in places extending to several metres below ground level. These deposits comprise clayey sands, gravels and silts with frequent inclusions, reflecting multiple phases of dumping, infilling and reclamation. Underlying natural deposits, where encountered, consist of estuarine silty clays and sands and gravels. In some locations, natural strata were not reached, with made ground extending to refusal depth. However timber elements were identified within CP005 along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, likely representing structural remains associated with former quay-side or waterfront activity, such as revetment, piling or dockside infrastructure.

Aside from the identified industrial-era rail elements, no archaeological features, structures or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during the course of the monitoring, and no artefacts of archaeological significance were recovered.