Scape Aungier Street, Student Accommodation

Project overview

IAC were appointed to undertake all pre- and post-construction archaeological services for a luxury 300-bed student accommodation facility consisting of four seven-storey buildings. The development involved the refurbishment of a number of protected and historic structures as well as the excavation of an extensive basement level.

The restricted nature of the urban site, located in the historic heart of Dublin, required expert detailed dynamic archaeological management and continuous consultation with the City Archaeologist, National Monuments Service and National Museum.

An intensive archaeological excavation was carried out over the course of eight months in tandem with the demolition works. This revealed significant archaeological remains dating to the medieval and post-medieval periods; most notably the foundations of St Peters Church (DU018-020089) and associated cemetery (c. 224 burials) were identified.

In addition, a previously unrecorded 11th-century sunken Hiberno-Norse structure and the remains of the 18th-century Theatre Royal (DU018-020162) were also identified. Due to the significance of both of these structures they have been preserved in-situ, and through exceptional design and management, led by our team, are now visible to the public (see RTE news segment here).

As part of this process, we produced content and display panels for the public and oversaw and managed the conservations works. The historic façade of three buildings were also restored to their original form. The excavation findings have been extensively shared at conferences, seminars and in notable publications, such as Medieval Dublin XX. Reconstruction illustrations were created by Matthew Ryan.