Archaeologists have uncovered walls dating from the 17th and 18th centuries on the site of the new Westin Hotel in Dublin. They have also found a gold coin dated 1664 and some shroud pins from the 15th and 16th century at the site at the junction of Westmoreland Street and College Street. The Treasury Holdings company has begun constructing a five- star hotel there.
Ms Sylvia Desmond, of the Judith Carroll archaeological consultancy firm, which is being paid by Treasury Holdings but is exploring the site under the guidance of Dublin Corporation, said excavations had begun there on Tuesday. They could last three to four weeks, possibly longer, depending on what is found.
Currently the development is taking place alongside the excavations, but a significant find would disrupt the hotel's building schedule. At the moment it is planned to open on November 26th, 2000.
Ms Desmond said it was believed the area was occupied in medieval times by churches and priories. It is hoped to locate evidence of this as the dig progresses. During the last century, she said, while a nearby site was being cleared for what is now the Allied Irish Bank on College Street, a tiled pavement from what was believed to be a medieval church was uncovered.
It is known the area formed a shoreline with the River Liffey in medieval times and that what was known as the River Steine ran through or near the site. The archaeologists are hoping to locate the river's path.
Nearby, opposite Pearse Street Garda station, was the site of a Viking long-stone marking the limits of territory. A replica stands in a green area at the junction of Pearse Street and D'Olier Street. And a Viking Thingmote (assembly place) was located on nearby Dame Street. It is thought there may also be artefacts from the Viking era on the Treasury Holdings site.
Mr Paul Allen, who is handling public relations for the developers, said last night Treasury Holdings was "very aware" of the archaeological dig and was co-operating fully with Dublin Corporation. The company hoped to incorporate any archaeological structures uncovered in a basement bar under the new hotel which would have vaulted ceilings.
However, one man working at the site remained unimpressed. He pointed to the archaeologists excavating below and asked Ms Desmond "Are ye still scratching?" Ms Desmond replied that they had not finished yet.
