Builders working on a new hotel development for Dublin have stumbled across skeletal remains dating to Medieval times.
Some date from the 11th century (High Middle Ages). Ancient burials linked with the earliest inhabitants of medieval Dublin have also been discovered, as well as the foundations of "significant historic buildings" from the 1600s.
It forms part of a major archaeological excavation at a vital site, purchased by the Beannchor hospitality group for its new Bullitt Dublin hotel development. The burials on the site are situated around the location of the former medieval landmark St Mary’s Abbey date from the 11th century, Dublin Live reports.
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Edmond O’Donovan, director of excavations for Courtney Deery Heritage Consultancy (CDHC), said: "In its day, St Mary’s Abbey was Ireland’s largest and most wealthy medieval abbey.
"It was demolished after 1540 when the monastery was disbanded by Henry VIII and was later the site of a 17th century Presbyterian Meeting House... These burials, and elements of other historic surviving buildings, have survived in pockets where later buildings left fragments of ground undisturbed.”
"Dutch Billies", a domestic house, was built in circa AD 1700 by settlers in Dublin after William of Orange’s ascended to the English throne after the Battle of the Boyne. This is also part of the find.
Beannchor Managing Director Bill Wolsey said: "We could never have foreseen the complexity of this project at the outset... Great care has been taken to preserve and incorporate elements of these early surviving buildings into the new development, on what we now know is one of the most significant heritage sites in the city."
Beannchor began a detailed design for a planning application, which sought to keep the above-ground buildings visible today.
The buildings were tallied to the Record of Protected Structures, which was welcomed by the group,.
As part of the initial phase of the development, Beannchor intends to reopen an historic Victorian laneway stretching between Capel Street and Meeting House Lane, which has been shut to the public for over 140 years.
A number of new casual dining concepts, and a new bar are planned for this part of the complex, which it is hoped will open in the first half of 2024. The new Bullitt Dublin hotel is expected to follow around 12 months later.
