The family’s long tenure here speaks to the stability and importance of this particular location within medieval Dublin’s urban landscape.

Archaeological excavations carried out in 1992 revealed fascinating insights into the area’s earlier development. The dig uncovered building debris on land that had been reclaimed from the River Liffey during the 13th century, situated in the space between the old town wall and the river itself. Among the finds were fragments of Ham Green pottery, a type of ceramic ware that helps archaeologists date and understand the site’s medieval occupation. This pottery, which originated from kilns near Bristol, was commonly imported into Ireland during the medieval period and serves as valuable evidence of Dublin’s trading connections.

The reclamation of land from the Liffey was a common practice in medieval Dublin as the city expanded beyond its original Viking and Norman boundaries. This particular stretch would have been prime real estate; close enough to the river for trade access but protected by the town walls. The Burnell family’s establishment here, lasting for several centuries, demonstrates how certain Dublin families maintained their urban properties through generations, contributing to the continuity of the city’s social and physical fabric.