Press Release

23^rd June 2006

Digging up the Downshire’s Past

A little bit of history has come to light at the site of the new Downe Hospital, where Design Team Manager Brian Widdicombe has retrieved some interesting artefacts during recent investigative engineering work.

The artefacts, which have been checked by the site archaeologist to confirm that they are not of archaeological significance, included glass and pottery containers, the bowl of a clay pipe and most interestingly, a brass button inscribed ‘Downpatrick Lunatic Asylum’ and bearing the arms of County Down – the same arms that are on today’s GAA shirts!

Dr Lawrence Erskine, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Downe Hospital, has been able to identify a pottery ink bottle with pouring lip and a handblown bottle from Whitaker & Co, which originally contained dye for straw hats worn by patients to prevent sunlight from interacting with their medication.

Assistant project director Eunan Carr said, “What we seem to have found is a dump or midden. The Downshire Hospital was opened in 1867, long before the days of organised rubbish collection, when people just buried their rubbish. Anyone with an interest in things historical who would like to have a closer look at the objects we found and who might be able to tell us more about them is welcome to come and have a look – please ring the Project Team on 4451 3866 to arrange a time.”

For more information ring Christina Martin 028 9250 1209 or 07980 620661