Historical Find Halts Drogheda Shopping Centre Build

Work at massive Drogheda shopping complex has ground to a halt after scores of 18th Century human remains were recovered from the site.

The Scotch Hall scheme, being undertaken by development firm South Bank, appears to be built on a previously undocumented medieval settlement.

So far 30 bodies have been exhumed from the area, just 25 miles north of Dublin.

Twenty-eight skeletons were found at the south end of the site, close to houses on the March Road.


According to sources, more remains will be found, but as yet diggers have been unable to access certain parts of the site.

The remains have been described as a "find of major significance", and the historical importance is compounded by the digs' proximity to Drogheda's medieval town walls

Architect with Douglas Wallace, Gerry Hand, said: "This appears to be a very important find for the archaeologists."

A spokesman for Edward Holding said the development was progressing slower than initially anticipated.

"Despite this negotiations with future potential tenants are active and ongoing," he added.

Detailed research and post-excavation works have been initiated, which are expected to provide more information on the history of the site.

(PR)