The architectural feature, which experts date to no earlier than 1700, represents a tangible link to the building’s past life during Ireland’s early modern period.

The arch itself shows signs of extensive ribbon pointing, a decorative masonry technique where mortar joints are finished with a narrow ridge or ‘ribbon’ running along their centre. This method of pointing was particularly popular in historic Irish buildings and suggests that even in its original context, the arch was meant to be a notable architectural element rather than purely functional.

The White House, situated in Newpark within the Castleknock area, continues to operate as a pub whilst preserving this remarkable survivor from Dublin’s architectural heritage. The discovery, first reported in the Fingal Independent, adds another layer to our understanding of how historic buildings in the Dublin area have evolved and been repurposed over the centuries, with earlier structures often absorbed into later developments rather than demolished entirely.