The Department of the Environment is to provide funding for an archaeological investigation in the area between Parliament Street and Wood Quay in an attempt to resolve some of the questions about Dublin's Viking origins, writes Frank McDonald, Environment Correspondent.
However, the site, which has been in use as a surface car par for almost 20 years, will be fully excavated in advance of its development by Temple Bar Properties, which is planning to build about 200 apartments there.
It is understood that sketch designs for the proposed apartment buildings have already been submitted to Temple Bar Properties by five firms of architects and that planning permission will be sought for these schemes in July.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, said that the archaeological programme would involve "a major public dig" and an exhibition in the new Viking Adventure, currently being installed in St Michael and St John's Church.