Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Dublin Archaeological Site.

Mr. G. Brady

First, I should like to point out the importance of this recently discovered archaeological site at Ushers Quay. It was more by chance than by direct archaeological digging that a very important Norman harbour was dis-discovered intact at Ushers Quay, not too far from the Wood Quay site. It is a strange irony that on this site we bear witness to perhaps the greatest bureaucratic blunder of all time, the civic offices now standing on the magnificent site of Wood Quay which is covered over for all time to the great shame of the authorities at the time.

I am pleased the Minister is here today and that I have been afforded the opportunity of highlighting the importance of this site which is a great treasure for the capital city. It is of significance that in the year that Dublin has been nominated European City of Culture we should do something about preserving this site. As I have said it is the most important site since the discovery of the Viking site at Wood Quay.

Dublin is rich in archaeological treasure. I appeal to the Minister to conduct an archaeological survey of all derelict sites within the city boundaries. Such a survey would reveal rich rewards. It is not a question of taking a chance to see if there is treasure, artefacts or clues that give identity to the past culture of our capital city. The treasure is there; it only has to be excavated.

One great example is the site for the new Jury's Hotel. It will be a scandal if this site is built on without it being properly excavated. I ask the Minister to give the House an assurance that that will not happen. There is a proposition to speed up that development and to carry out only a piecemeal type excavation, but that would not be satisfactory. To just stalk the ground and hope that some treasure or site is discovered would not be the proper technique to use. Dr. Clarke from Dublin University, who is chairman of the Friends of Medieval Dublin, has called for an archaeological survey, and I strongly support his views in that respect. There would be a spin-off to tourism and education and, indeed, to future generations. One of our greatest, exponents of this whole question, Father F. X. Martin, did great work in his day to bring to the fore the need to preserve all archaeological sites in Dublin. He was to the forefront in the dispute about the Wood Quay site.

Here we have a most important site which has just been discovered. I went to see it on Saturday and would urge anyone with an interest in this field to go down and view it. One can actually see part of the city wall of Dublin which is now a national monument and the remains of the harbour wall which kept out the tide, and some wood remains of boats. It leads on to another area which I am sure would be a means of bridging the north of the city and the south. The hurdles which give a clue to the very beginnings of our ancient city, Áth Cliath, the city of the hurdles, could be excavated quite easily. These remains are traced, to bridge between Augustine Street and Bow Street. That could be unearthed and money should be made available for such research.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

It is with definite reluctance that I have to advise the Deputy that his time is up.

Mr. G. Brady

I appeal to the Minister, as a start, to make available £20,000 for this site, which the archaeologists, Damien McGarry and Leo Swann need urgently. If the Minister gave that pledge today he would be going a long way in our year as Capital City for Culture to giving his imprimatur to doing all he can to preserve this site for future generations.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. V. Brady)

I am grateful to the House for the opportunity to comment on the important recent discovery of archaeological remains at Ushers Quay, Dublin.

Dublin has a fascinating history and we are fortunate that sufficient archaeological deposits remain intact in order to significantly add to our store of knowledge of the origins of the city. The area of the medieval city, approximately centred around Christchurch, has proved particularly fruitful to archaeologists over the past few decades. Sites which easily spring to mind, in which valuable Viking and medieval remains were discovered, include Wood Quay, High Street, Christchurch Place, Winetavern Street and Fishamble Street.

Archaeological remains in urban areas present challenges as well as opportunities and it is with this in mind that, in 1989, the National Monuments Advisory Council published their Urban Archaeology Guidelines. These guidelines provide valuable advice to developers, local authorities and others on how best to approach development in archaeologically sensitive areas. The guidelines also endorse the established European principle that the cost of the investigation and conservation necessitated by such development should be borne as part of the cost of the development. This is particularly important given the increased pace of development generated by the success of the Government's urban renewal schemes. Properly planned, archaeological conservation and property development need not be mutually exclusive. Indeed, discoveries made can often enhance or be a feature of the new development. Archaeology can, of course, also contribute to the growing importance of cultural tourism.

The particular discovery raised by Deputy Gerard Brady is an important new feature not previously known to exist. Although archaeological excavations in the past have unearthed early timber frontages to the Liffey, this is the first time that such structures have been discovered within the old city walls. It is thought that the structure may have been a small harbour attached to a merchant's premises as large amounts of 13th century pottery were also discovered on the site. It is interesting to note that France was an important trading partner as far back as early medieval times.

Another interesting feature discovered on the site was the north-west corner of the medieval city wall. This is the point where the section of the wall parallel to the river swings due southward. The timbers, having been fully recorded, will now be carefully lifted and preserved. I am glad to note that the Office of Public Works are significantly contributing to the conservation effort by providing secure storage facilities and other services. Recommendations can now be formulated which will allow the developer devise a piling foundation which will be non-destructive to the archaeological features of the site.

I pay tribute to the developer — Messrs. Ballymore Homes Limited — who undertook the required archaeological excavation and have been very co-operative with the relevant authorities. I would hope that this example would be followed by everyone involved in development of areas which contain remnants of our national heritage.

I assure my colleague, Deputy Brady, that his concern and recommendations will be noted by me, and will be fully investigated. Every measure possible will be taken to ensure that preservation takes priority over everything else.