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 archaeological excavation at this site was undertaken between 3 March 2004 and 11 May 2004. However, earlier testing and monitoring work was carried out on the site. The initial phase of testing was carried out under licence to Duchas, The Heritage Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaelteacht, and the Islands (Licence No. 99E0560). Archaeological monitoring of ground works was required as a condition of the planning permission issued by Dublin City Council for a residential development proposed for the site. Monitoring and subsequent excavations were conducted under licence to the National Monuments Section, Department of Environment, Health and Local Government, and the National Museum of Ireland for Bracegrade Ltd. The development entailed the demolition of standing buildings at 105, 106, 107 The Coombe and the construction of a three-storey apartment complex with underground car park. The 19th century Widow's House at 108 The Coombe was renovated and incorporated into the new development.
Monitoring of stabilisation works to the Widow's House was undertaken by Eoin Sullivan between 17 February 2003 and 30 June 2003. The monitoring licence was transferred to Melanie McQuaid, who carried out subsequent work. Monitoring of bulk excavations in the south of the site was carried out from 12 August 2003 to 21 August 2003. Ground works in the remainder of the site were monitored from 7 February 2004 to 8 April 2004. The site was located outside the medieval walled town of Dublin, to the south of the Coombe Stream on lands owned by the Monks of St. Thomas Abbey. The excavations uncovered seven levels of activity spanning the medieval and postmedieval periods. Dating is based on the pottery finds. Levels 2-6 were dated to the medieval period (13th-15th century). Level 7 dates to the late medieval and post medieval periods (15th-20th centuries).
Archival History ↴
Transferred by Margaret Gowen and Co. Ltd. To Dublin City Archives, 01 October 2009
Immediate Source Acquisition ↴
Donation
Content & Structure
Scope & Content: Margaret Gowen and Company ↴
This collection contains archaeological excavation records from the site 105-109 The Coombe, Dublin 8, by Melanie McQuaid. Includes feature sheets, sample sheets, timber sheets, registers (feature, sample, plan, photograph), site notebooks, administrative material (correspondence, excavation licences, engineering drawings), reports, conservation records, photographs, electronic records, plans and drawings
Appraisal Destruction ↴
Permanent Retention
Arrangement ↴
Collection processed and box lists created by Paul Brett. 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
2003-2004
Extent Medium
2 Boxes, 2 Outsize Folders
Material Language Script
English
Characteristics Tech Req
Floppy disc drive, AutoCAD Software
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
Paul Brett
Rules/Conventions
ISAD(G): General International Standard Archival Description, 2nd ed. Ottawa: International Council on Archives, 2000.
