Excavation

Archaeological testing carried out at 8–20 George’s Quay by Tracy Collins, Aegis Archaeology Ltd, under licence no. 02E0024, the results of which were summarised as following; 'This development was subject to an archaeological impact assessment and subsequent testing. Owing to time constraints, the site was tested while the buildings (three) on the site were still standing. Nine trenches were excavated by machine across the entire footprint of the new development. Trenches to the south of the site identified cellar walls of the older, Georgian buildings that once stood on the quay. A trench in the eastern part of the site tentatively identified the remains of the medieval Mill Lane, which would have provided access from the medieval main street (Mary Street) to the banks of the Abbey River but which is no longer in use owing to extant buildings. The trenches in the northern part of the site yielded a black organic layer, lacking finds for accurate dating. It is supposed that this is a medieval layer relating to urban occupation. The identified archaeological layers on the site were below the level of development and so could remain in situ. The piling plan of the structures was slightly adjusted to avoid the Georgian walls so that they too could remain in situ. Before testing, it was thought that the medieval town wall may have traversed this site, but from the results it seems that the wall is farther south, under the present-day quay' (www.excavations.ie). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 20 December 2019