Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd., Rath House, Ferndale Road, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin, is a professional archaeological company founded in the early 1980s. The company has carried out a number of archaeological excavations and development-led investigations arising from the requirements of development control and planning process, in line with legal provisions of the Planning and Development Acts (2000) and the National Monuments Acts (1930-2004) and Amendments Acts. The 36-39 James Street Collection is one of many site archives that have been generated through these development-led excavations.
An archaeological assessment of the site was carried out on 22-23 April 2002. A second phase of archaeological assessment was carried out on 5-6 September 2002. The site was excavated in January-March 2003 in advance of the construction of three blocks of mixed residential and commercial use. The excavation was carried out for M & M Construction Ltd. The excavation covered 2 areas, 36-39 James Street frontage including the plots to the rear (Block A and B) and (Block C) at the rear of 39-44 James Street with access from Grand Canal Place. The excavation uncovered archaeological activity that ranged from medieval agriculture to eighteenth and nineteenth century industrial, most notable in Block C. Part of a nineteenth century tannery was excavated in the southern half of Block B. There were no features of archaeological significance in Block A and the rest of Block B.
The medieval deposits on site consisted mainly of garden soils proving that the area was under cultivation from the thirteenth century. There is a lack of post-medieval features. The earliest industrial features on the site are linear tanning related pits. Two tan yards and a later bell foundry, all dating to the eighteenth-nineteenth century were excavated. A kiln, casting house, furnace and casting pits were also recorded. Finds included pottery, clay pipes, glass, floor and roof tiles, bottle-stoppers, gamming pieces, bone objects, leather, textiles, metal finds and lead shot.
Archival History ↴
Transferred by Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. To Dublin City Archives, 16 October 2009
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Donation
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: Margaret Gowen and Company ↴
This collection contains archaeological excavation records from the site 36-39 James Street, Dublin 8, by Abi Cryerhall. Includes feature sheets, finds sheets, context sheets, timber sheets, sample sheets, reports, licences, registers, notebook, administrative material, map, correspondence, CD, photographs, plans and drawings.
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention
Arrangement ↴
Collection processed and box lists created by Niamh Collins. Arranged according to document type.
Conditions of Access & Use
Access Conditions
Available to view by public who apply for research card in Dublin City Library and Archive Reading Room, 138-144 Pearse street, Dublin 2.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
The terms of the Copyright and Related Acts (2000) allows DCLA to provide photocopies of material for research purposes only. Publication by written permission from Margaret Gowen and Company only.
Creation Dates
2001-2005
Extent Medium
4 boxes, 1 outsize folder
Material Language Script
English
Finding Aids
Box list available on DCAA Database in Dublin City Library and Archive Reading Room.
Archive Web Link →
Allied Materials
Publication Note
www.excavations.ie
Descriptive Control Area
Archivist Note
Niamh Collins
Rules/Conventions
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
