Cavan County Council has confirmed that partial skeletal remains have been as part of archaeological works in the Abbeylands area of Cavan town.
Survey works have begun in the area, which received €14 million in funding for the creation of a new civic space.
The Council says the discovery was made during planned archaeological excavations in the area surrounding the St Mary's Franciscan Abbey site, on properties to the rear of Abbey Street and Bridge Street.
It says the partial skeletal remains were discovered in one of five trenches excavated and initial investigations indicate that these remains relate to peripheral burials which may have taken place outside the main Abbey graveyard.
The remains discovered do not appear to be complete burials and have been extensively disturbed previously by urban development in the town, which could date back as far as the 1800s.
It says the National Monuments Service has been notified and Gardaí attended the scene this morning to inspect the remains but no further involvement of Gardaí is not warranted.
A full archaeologist's report will be prepared and submitted to the National Monuments Service and Cavan County Council says it will await its recommendation as to the next steps to be taken with regard to this discovery.
The area around the Abbey is one of the most historic areas in Cavan town and Councillors had called for the protection of the graveyard in the area as part of the planned works.
The local authority says it was prepared for some discoveries to be made, given the historic nature of the region.
And it says it is prepared to "ensure that any future developments in the area will complement and enhance the area's rich heritage".
