The development of a new and vibrant campus for Technological University Dublin (formerly D.I.T.) at the site of a former mental hospital in the heart of the city represented a unique project for a variety of reasons.
At just under thirty hectares, the site was one of the largest undeveloped areas within central Dublin and as such was designated a Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd were delighted to be appointed by the Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) as their archaeological consultants, tasked with managing the cultural heritage assets at the site.

A key goal of archaeology as an industry is making our findings accessible and relevant to the general public, and presenting the results of archaeological projects in ways that bring their story to life and highlight both the similarities and differences between the past and the present.

By Bruce Sutton
As part of works along the N26 Cloongullaun Bridge Realignment Scheme, Co. Mayo, Rubicon Heritage completed the excavation of a large intact burnt mound with two underlying wood lined troughs and associated features. The works were directed by Bruce Sutton, who led a small experienced team of four archaeologists. All works are managed by Mayo County Council National Roads Office and funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Archaeological works were administered by the Project Archaeologist Richard Gillespie, who also completed the initial test-trenching which identified the site in 2019. Ongoing post-excavation works, based on dating, specialist analyses and research will help further interpret the site. 

This talk focuses on archaeological methods and practices; what archaeologists do and how they do it.