Ancient skeletal remains dating back to medieval times have been discovered during preparatory works for a new hotel development on Capel Street.
Some of the skeletal remains date from the 11th century (High Middle Ages). Ancient burials associated with the earliest inhabitants of medieval Dublin have also been discovered, including the foundations of "significant historic buildings" dating back to the 1600s.
The discoveries have been uncovered as part of a major archaeological excavation at a prominent 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.
Commenting on the discoveries, 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.
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"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.”
A domestic house known as the "Dutch Billies", constructed in circa AD 1700 by settlers in the city after William of Orange’s ascended to the English throne after the Battle of the Boyne, 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."
With insights from the archaeological investigations, Beannchor commenced a detailed design for a planning application, which sought to retain the above-ground buildings visible today. The buildings were added to the Record of Protected Structures, a move welcomed by the group, as the historical significance of the site had been recognised by city authorities.
Planning permission was subsequently granted for the scheme by An Bord Pleanala in 2021. As part of the first phase the development, Beannchor plans to reopen an historic Victorian laneway stretching between Capel Street and Meeting House Lane, which has been closed 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.
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