Dublin
1999:186
CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL, DUBLIN
Medieval cathedral
O152340
98E0606
The site is on the north side of the Cathedral in an area known as the 'north yard', bounded by John's Lane on the north and the North Transept on the west. A trial-pit, against the medieval north wall of the cathedral, revealed the foundations of the wall, below the refacing carried out by Street in the 19th century (between 1871 and 1878). In addition, at 1.05m below the ground level a mortared mass, medieval in date, was found, which may represent either a medieval wall or a building/construction level.

In the north-west corner of the yard the remains of a small post-medieval manhole/cellar, which probably date to the 18th century, were found during monitoring. This stone-built chamber (with some brick) was filled with rubble deposits and measured internally 1m north-south by 1.8m and 1.1m deep. It had an entrance in the west wall and a possible ope in the east wall but no formal floor level in situ. At the base of the chamber a substantial French drain was found, which originally exited northwards through an opening in the precinct wall but had been replaced by a ceramic pipe. This was probably the work of Street, as a similar pipe was found in the concrete floor of the crypt. After the ceramic pipe was inserted the chamber was backfilled.

The proposed floor level of the new development was raised to accommodate the chamber, which was then carefully backfilled.
Linzi Simpson, Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd, 2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin.

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