Archaeologists have uncovered the skeletal remains of dozens of bodies at a site in Limerick which could date from as early as the 15th century.
The find was made by a team of archaeologists who were excavating the site ahead of a private development near Baal's Bridge on historic King's Island.
The skeletal remains of 25 bodies have been uncovered so far in the dig, which started just 10 days ago, and archaeologists believe further remains will be found.
All were located alongside the medieval walls of the city, and the archaeologist leading the dig said the site bore all the hallmarks of a typical Christian burial ground.
"When we started the dig we first uncovered the medieval city wall and the medieval quay wall which date from the 13th or 14th centuries.
"The skeletons were found between the two walls and probably date from a later period - between the 15th and 18th centuries. They were typical Christian burials with all the heads of the remains facing the west," said site director Linda Lynch, of Aegis Archaeology.
One theory being explored is that the remains could be those of victims of a cholera epidemic or a plague who were buried outside the city walls.
The remains have been removed for further examination. Bone specialists from the National Museum of Ireland have been brought in to determine the significance of the find.
The archaeologists are expected to continue their excavation for a further three weeks.