Dublin
1989:029
Winetavern Street, South City Ward
Medieval town wall
O152341
Planning permission was granted for a private development on a site which the city wall traversed. In order that the piles, pile caps, ground beams etc. did not damage the wall, its exact position was established by the removal of overburden only from that portion of the site which was to accommodate a semi-basement car park. A second wall/tower? (suggested from an earlier test pit) was not located in this area and as there were no plans to pile or excavate for the substructure further west, this part of the site was not investigated, Excavation for pile caps, etc. was also monitored. Funding was provided by the developer for all the archaeological work. As a result of the findings, the development plans were altered so that the substructure and piles would not damage the city wall.The wall survives at a depth of c.2.2m below ground level. The top of the wall as exposed was 1.35m wide (the test pits had established an approximate width of 2m at its base). It is faced with limestone blocks with a core of limestone rubble in a very loose, sandy, yellow-coloured mortar. The north face had a roughly straight edge while the south face was more irregular. During excavations for pile caps north of the wall, a 2m length of its north face was revealed to a depth of 0.9m. The exposed face consisted of four well-laid regular courses of limestone blocks, all about 0.22m high by 0.26m - 0.53m long, with yellow sandy mortar between. After surveying the top of the city wall, it was covered with fine sand to level it up to the highest surviving stone. It was then covered with a sheet of yellow polythene and black roofing felt, which was finally sealed by a layer of concrete.
Mary McMahon, 77 Brian Road, Mario, Dublin 3.

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