IAC carried out all pre-planning and pre-construction phase archaeological services for the 340-bed Aparthotel in the historic Markets Area of Dublin City Centre. An impact assessment was prepared as part of the planning application, which was followed by a programme of Ground Penetrating Radar and test trenching to investigate the results of the survey.
Archaeological monitoring was undertaken for ground works associated with the demolition phase of the development and excavation was subsequently carried out to record any identified archaeological remains.
Significantly the foundations of a medieval building were identified which have been interpreted as the previously unidentified site of a gatehouse associated with the precinct of St Mary’s Abbey.
This important medieval religious institution once extended across what is now north inner-city Dublin, although there are not many surviving upstanding elements. As a result of these findings the construction design was reconfigured to facilitate preservation in-situ beneath a glass floor which will enable visibility to the public.
This approach required experienced archaeological management and continuous consultation with the statutory authorities to achieve a workable solution.
