The medieval well which was discovered during the construction of the new Swords Cultural Quarter (SCQ) has been removed.
The stone lined well has been deconstructed with its parts catalogued so that it can be reconstructed elsewhere.
The Director of Corporate Services, who is responsible for the SCQ project, explained to councillors this week that an analysis of the location of the well and the foundations of the new building meant that it couldn’t be left where it was.
He explained that even if the foundations could have designed around it, the historic well would have needed to be sealed beneath the building.
Following an archaeological report, they decided to remove it and preserve it such a way that it could be reconstructed at a more appropriate location to allow the public to appreciate more fully how the medieval inhabitants of Swords would have gone about their daily lives.
One suggested location is the town park area adjacent to the castle.
It has also been proposed that a graphic reconstruction of the well be contained in the new cultural quarter building to allow the public see where it lay.
Cllr Ian Carey said:
“It is unfortunate that the well has had to be removed and that it couldn’t have been incorporated into the building through a glass floor as we have seen elsewhere but I think the plan to relocate it is the next best option.
“I will be pushing for the medieval well is incorporated into the landscaping plan for the land around the castle. It may well be a better solution in the long run as allowing people to walk down the steps of the well and touch the stonework will give them a sense of the lives of the medieval people that looking at it through glass never could.”
