Discovery of structure on convent building site
By Maurice Garvey
THE discovery of a former structure on the site of Clondalkin Convent by an archaeological team has certainly generated interest amongst residents in the community, amid calls for a halt to construction work and a full investigation.
Work is ongoing at the convent grounds by Bartra Property Ltd to build a 155-bed nursing home and retirement home for the Presentation nuns.
Works ongoing at the convent site this week
Pictures on social media this week depicted what looked like an archaeological dig on the Boot Road/Convent Road side of the site, leading to speculation that the structure dates back hundreds of years.
This is supported by a GeoHive map from the period 1837-1842, which identifies a building at a location where the current find is.
The Echo visited the site on Tuesday but were told there was nothing to report and asked to contact the PR firm representing Bartra.
The developer says the find “isn’t significant”, and that all of the archaeological work at the site, pre-construction and during the project, adheres to National Monuments Ireland (NMI) guidance and requirements.
According to planning conditions set out by An Bord Pleanála, the developer has to employ a suitably-qualified archaeologist prior to the commencement of the project and they assess the site and monitor all site development works.
Convent GeoHive map – red circle indicates building in question
Members of Save Clondalkin Convent Campaign, whose efforts to protect the historical convent site were unsuccessful, were told by the site manager on Monday that rumours of a cellar found, were not true and that the find was ‘footing for a house’.
Cllr Francis Timmons (Ind) has called for a halt to the project until a full investigation is carried out.
“Work should stop until proper and full archaeology surveys and reports are done,” said Cllr Timmons.
“Maybe it is nothing but it needs a full investigation and transparency. I don’t agree that a nursing home should be there in the first place, it is regrettable what the nuns have done, but it is too late when things are taken down.”
Meanwhile, Cllr Eoin Ó Broin (Ind) is seeking clarification on who the conservation architect is for Batra and what state apparatus is responsible for monitoring and reporting new finds.
“I’m asking who responds to who and are they obliged to report it to the local authority,” he said.
A project spokesperson for Bartra told The Echo: “A licence for archaeological excavation was granted prior to work starting on the Clondalkin Nursing Home site. The archaeologists are independent consultants working fully to National Monuments Ireland (NMI) guidance and requirements.
“This archaeological team exposed some walls from a former structure on the site. The finding will be mapped and logged under NMI requirements.”
Monica McGill, from the Save Clondalkin Convent Campaign, supports Cllr Timmons call for a halt in the works.
She said: “How come the archaeological survey conducted before work was done didn’t find this structure. This is not Woodquay but everybody should back off pending an investigation.”
In response to an urgent request by Cllr Timmons, Irenie McLoughlin, Architectural Conservation Officer, South Dublin County Council, said: “NMS (National Monuments Service) will be the Department deciding on any such requirements so the on-site archaeologist will have to liaise with them directly in accordance with the conditions of the licence and the National Monuments Act. I have asked the Project Architects to ensure NMS are contacted so details can be discussed and agreed.”
