Students Discover Historic Artefacts at Dublin’s Guinness Mansion Site

Transition year students in Dublin have made significant discoveries during an excavation at the site of a former mansion owned by the Guinness family. This initiative is part of Dublin City Council’s (DCC) annual archaeology program at St Anne’s Park, where students have uncovered artefacts such as carved stone, decorative plasterwork, and ornate floor tiles. The five-week dig, which concludes on September 20, 2023, has engaged students through the ‘Transition Year Tuesdays’ initiative, allowing them to work alongside professional archaeologists.

The excavation site holds historical significance as the mansion was commissioned by the affluent Guinness family in 1837. Unfortunately, the house suffered extensive damage due to a fire in 1943 while under the ownership of Dublin Corporation, leading to its eventual demolition in 1968. James Kyle, excavation director from Archaeology and Built Heritage, expressed enthusiasm about the students’ involvement, stating, “Hopefully there’s a few budding archaeologists amongst them.”

Connecting with History

Mr. Kyle emphasized that the dig not only allows students to learn about archaeology but also connects them with the history of the park and the grand mansion that once stood at its heart. Many local residents have fond memories of the house, with some recalling their experiences during its final days. “I’ve been lucky enough to meet a couple of gentlemen in their 90s who remember the house before it burnt down,” Mr. Kyle noted.

He recounted a poignant story from a gentleman who witnessed the fire on Christmas Eve 1943. “He remembers himself and his friends were sad because the house was burning down, but he didn’t mind so much because Santa still came that year,” Mr. Kyle said. This personal connection illustrates how the mansion remains a significant part of local heritage.

The excavation project has been ongoing since 2021, initiated during the pandemic as DCC sought new ways to engage residents with the park. Mr. Kyle believes that, with continued funding and community interest, the excavation could extend for another 20 years, given the expansive nature of the site.

Community Engagement and Heritage

Charles Duggan, a heritage officer at DCC, described the project as multifaceted. “Not only do we have students and adult volunteers working on this exhibition, we have school tours,” he explained. The program also features an exhibition open daily during the excavation, allowing visitors to interact with tour guides and archaeologists. Last year, approximately 11,000 people visited the site, drawn by the storied legacy of the Guinness family and the allure of their lifestyle.

Fergus O’Carroll, DCC senior executive parks superintendent, remarked on the long-standing interest in the excavation project. “There was always this assumption that everybody knew the house was here,” he said. Yet, he noted the rapid changes in generational knowledge, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this to preserve and share local history.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme, the excavation serves as a bridge between past and present, enriching the community’s understanding of its heritage while inspiring the next generation of archaeologists.