ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: PROPOSED CASHEL TOWN PARK AND PUBLIC REALM WORKS, CAMUS ROAD/ROCK LANE, ST. PATRICKSROCK (RMP TS061-025----), CASHEL, CO. TIPPERARY ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION LICENCE: 19E0427 and 19E0427 ext. CLIENT: TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL, CIVIC OFFICES, CLONMEL, CO. TIPPERARY AUTHOR: CÓILÍN O'DRISCEOIL MA MIAI 17.9.2020 ________________________________ Kilkenny Archaeology 12 Parliament Street Kilkenny City P. 056 7752200 E. [email protected]W. www.kilkennyarchaeology.ie ________________________________
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19E0427 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, CASHEL TOWN PARK KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGY SEPT 2020
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT: PROPOSED CASHEL TOWN PARK AND PUBLIC REALM WORKS, CAMUS ROAD/ROCK LANE, ST. PATRICKSROCK (RMP TS061-025----), CASHEL, CO. TIPPERARY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION LICENCE: 19E0427 and 19E0427 ext. CLIENT: TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL, CIVIC OFFICES, CLONMEL, CO. TIPPERARY AUTHOR: CÓILÍN O'DRISCEOIL MA MIAI 17.9.2020 ________________________________ Kilkenny Archaeology 12 Parliament Street Kilkenny City P. 056 7752200 E. [email protected] W. www.kilkennyarchaeology.ie ________________________________
FIGURE 16: MAP OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND BUILT HERITAGE ELEMENTS WITHIN AND
ADJOINING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AREA (SEE INVENTORY, SECTION 5) .......... 26
FIGURE 17: SITE 1, MOUND, FROM THE EAST. ........................................................................................... 28
FIGURE 18: SITE 12, PATHWAY OF BOTHAR NA MARBH RUNNING ALONG THE WEST
SIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA, WEST OF THE BOUNDARY WALL 21. FROM
THE SOUTH. ..................................................................................................................................................... 31
19E0427 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, CASHEL TOWN PARK KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGY SEPT 2020
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FIGURE 19: SITE 12, PATHWAY OF BOTHAR NA MARBH RUNNING ALONG THE NORTH
SIDE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA, NORTH OF THE BOUNDARY WALL 21. FROM
THE EAST. ........................................................................................................................................................ 31
FIGURE 20: THE SOUTH ENTRANCE TO BOTHAR NA MARBH GATEWAY (SITE 13) AND
ADJOINING GATEWAY (SITE 29), FROM SOUTHWEST. ............................................................... 32
FIGURE 21: LOOKING ACROSS THE EASTERN HALF OF THE DEVELOPMENT AREA
TOWARDS ST. PATRICK'S ROCK WITH THE GATEWAY SITE 14 SHOWN IN THE WALL
SITE 21, FROM SOUTH-EAST. .................................................................................................................... 33
FIGURE 22: SITE 15 THE BISHOP'S WALK, FROM THE NORTH. ........................................................... 34
FIGURE 23: SITE 15, THE BISHOP'S WALK, FROM THE SOUTHWEST. .............................................. 34
FIGURE 24: SITE 16, STEPS IN THE BISHOP'S WALK AT THE NORTH SIDE OF THE
CROSSING OF THE BISHOP'S WALK AND THE EAST-WEST LANE 41, FROM SOUTH. . 35
FIGURE 25: THE DOOR/GATEWAY (SITE 18) IN THE NORTH WALL OF THE BISHOP'S
PALACE GARDEN, FROM THE NORTH-WEST. ............................................................................... 36
FIGURE 26: GATEWAY SITE 19 AND BLOCKED DOOR/GATEWAY SITE 32 IN THE
SOUTHERN BOUNDARY WALLS, FROM NORTH. ........................................................................... 37
FIGURE 27: BOUNDARY WALL SITE 22 AT THE NORTH-EAST BOUNDARY OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AREA, FROM SOUTHWEST. .................................................................................. 38
FIGURE 28: NORTH-EAST CORNER OF THE BOUNDARY WALL, SITE 25. THE RUBBLE IN
THE FOREGROUND MAY BE THE REMAINS OF THE DEMOLISHED WALL SITE 23.
TAKEN FROM THE NORTH-EAST. ......................................................................................................... 39
FIGURE 29: WEST END OF SOUTHERN BOUNDARY WALL, SITE 25, FROM THE NORTH. .... 39
FIGURE 30: STAMPED MAKER'S MARK IN THE IRON GATE BARRING GATEWAY, SITE 29.
FIGURE 40: LOCATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST TRENCHES 1-4, 19E0427 ON
MAGNETIC GRADIOMETER DATA (EARTHSOUND GEOPHYSICS 2014, FIG. 3) .............. 54
FIGURE 41: LOCATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST TRENCHES 1-4, 19E0427 ON IN-PHASE
DATA LEVEL 1 (EARTHSOUND GEOPHYSICS 2014, FIG. 5) ...................................................... 55
FIGURE 42: TEST TRENCH 1, 19E0427, WEST-FACING SECTION (TOP), MID-EXCAVATION
(MIDDLE) AND FINAL (BOTTOM) EXCAVATION PLANS. ......................................................... 56
FIGURE 43: EXCAVATION TRENCH 1, 19E0427, FROM SOUTH, PUTATIVE RING BARROW
TOP LEFT. .......................................................................................................................................................... 57
FIGURE 58: 196E427, TEST-TRENCH 3 UNDER EXCAVATION FROM THE NORTH-WEST. .... 73
FIGURE 59: 19E427, TEST-TRENCH 2, PIT [311], POSSIBLE KILN [307] AND BOUNDARY [305]
TRUNCATING THE DITCH [303]/[323] IN TEST-TRENCH 3, FROM THE SOUTH-EAST. . 73
FIGURE 60: 19E427, TEST-TRENCH 3, POSSIBLE KILN [315] IN STRUCTURE [313]/[317]. .......... 74
FIGURE 61: 19E427, TEST-TRENCH 3, SONDAGE EXCAVATED INTO POSSIBLE KILN [307],
FROM THE WEST. .......................................................................................................................................... 74
19E0427 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, CASHEL TOWN PARK KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGY SEPT 2020
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FIGURE 62: 19E427, SONDAGE EXCAVATED INTO POSSIBLE KILN [315], FROM THE
19E0427 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, CASHEL TOWN PARK KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGY SEPT 2020
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definitively identified within the site, with the possible exception of a large ditch
identified in the 2020 test-excavations (see below) and a c. 15m diameter mound (RMP
TS061-025157-) that is located in the north-west, on the south-west slope of the Rock
(Figures 16, 17). Whilst it is possible the mound may be simply a post-medieval
landscaping feature, geophysical survey has identified a 20m diameter circular ditch
surrounding it, and a smaller, 8m diameter, circular ditched enclosure, to its south (Figure
4). Although further excavation would be required to date the mound and these
enclosures, their morphology suggests they are the remains of late prehistoric or early
medieval barrows. The geophysical survey also identified a 110m stretch of curving ditch
in the east of the proposed development area, which it has been suggested may form part
of a large enclosure that surrounded the royal complex on the Rock during the early
medieval period (Gleeson forthcoming) (Figures 4, 16). Excavation is, however, required to
characterise the nature and date of the enclosure.
Figure 4: Proposed development area on magnetic gradiometer survey (Earthsound Geophysics 2014,
figure 3)
The arrival of John in Ireland in 1185 advanced the Anglo-Norman colonisation of
Tipperary, and Cashel, under the archepiscopacy of Muirghes Ó hEnni (c. 1186-1206),
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came effectively under royal protection after John confirmed on him the See in 1192-3
(Empey 1985, 76-7, 84). The borough of Cashel, which had been established by the Irish
archbishop before 1218, was subsequently the subject of a dispute between the church
and the crown after royal control was exerted over it in that year (Bradley 1985, 44-5).
Documents associated with the dispute, which was referred to Rome, allude occasionally
to the 'old town' and 'New Town of Cashel', the former probably referring to an urban
settlement that was developed at the Rock prior to the establishment of the borough -
the 'New Town' - in the lowlands 200m to the south (Bradley 1985, 45; Empey 1985, 84-
5). A V-profiled ditch, which contained John, lord of Ireland, coins, (see Section 6)
demonstrates that a large 90m (east-west) x min. 55m (north-south) ditched enclosure
identified in the geophysical survey and which surrounds the possible barrows noted
above, is of late twelfth-thirteenth century date and probably therefore formed part of
the primary Anglo-Norman settlement at the foot of the Rock. The foundation trenches
for two timber houses uncovered in the same trench may represent the remains of
dwellings within the settlement. Further indications of this settlement have been found in
the 2020 test-excavation campaign.
Test excavations (licence E4750) undertaken in 2015 in advance of the redevelopment of
the former archepiscopal palace by Joanne Hughes included the excavation of four
trenches (Trenches 13, 15, 16, 17) in the walled garden enclosure immediately to the
south of the proposed development site and 45m south of the excavated test trench
(Figure 16). Whilst this report was not available to view, a synopsis and critique of it was
included in a subsequent assessment by Maurice Hurley of the same development
(Hurley 2017). In Hughes's Trenches 16-17 a series of linear features which were found
cutting the subsoil were interpreted as the remains of slots for earthfast sill-beam houses,
sealed beneath 1.2m of horticultural soils (Trenches 16, 17), which the excavator
suggested were introduced for the archbishops' gardens (Hurley 2017, 10). Whilst these
were regarded as cultivation furrows and features 'typical of ground cultivation' by
Hurley, the clear evidence for identical sill-beam structures, a ditch and other features of
late medieval date in Test Trench 1 supports Hughes's interpretation and strongly
suggests the continuation to the south of the early Anglo-Norman settlement. Another
of Hughes's trenches, Trench 13, was placed across the line of the town wall, revealing a
1.4m wide x 1.2m deep stone wall set on an off-set footing to the north (Hurley 2017, 8).
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No indication of a fosse was present; medieval pits were identified cutting the subsoil to
the north of the wall.
Figure 5: Proposed development area (arrowed) on reconstruction map of medieval Cashel (Bradley
1985, fig. 3.3)
The establishment of a secular cathedral chapter at Cashel by Muirghes prior to his death
in 1206 would have necessitated the laying out of a Cathedral Close, complete with
manse houses for the twelve canons of the chapter (Empey 1985, 84). Nothing is known
Proposed Development Area
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about the topography of this Close but with the construction of the Gothic cathedral on
the Rock in the mid-thirteenth century and the archepiscopal palace being nearby, the
area available for a Close would have been severely restricted up on the Rock, and it is
therefore possible that it extended into the proposed development area and perhaps, like
at Irishtown, Kilkenny, also into the surrounding borough. Following the walling of the
town in the mid thirteenth-early fourteenth century the subject site became sandwiched
between the walls, located 180m south of the site, and the Cathedral precinct at the Rock
to the north (Bradley 1985, 44) (Figure 5). Suburbs developed outside the defences but
whether any of these extended into the proposed development area is not known for
certain at present, but is suggested by the settlement features indicated by the present
test-excavations (Bradley 1985, 44).
The religious wars that followed the Reformation led to the ruination of the cathedral
and its eventual abandonment in 1749 (Galloway 1992, 37-8). The parish church of St
John the Baptist in the town was used as the Church of Ireland cathedral until 1788,
when the new Classical-style cathedral was completed on the same site (Leslie 2012, 47;
Galloway 1992, 38). Prior to the abandonment of the Rock, in 1730-2, a new
archbishop's palace had been built inside the town wall to its south, to replace the palace
which had been built at the west end of the nave of the thirteenth century cathedral
church (Moss 2014, 171). The proposed development area formed part of the demesne
of the new palace and it is possible that the so-called 'Bishop's Walk' which snakes
through the middle of the site was constructed around the same time, and would have
provided ready access from the new palace up to the Rock between c. 1732 and 1749. On
the other hand, the c. 1739 Dheulland engraving of the south prospect of the Rock does
not show the walkway and it could be a later, perhaps Victorian, feature (Figure 7). The
archaeological test excavations did not resolve this chronological issue. The Dheulland
print shows the main north-south avenue that led to the Rock from the north-east side
of the archepiscopal estate and which is marked on the first edition Ordnance Survey
map (Figure 12). This routeway, which no longer exists, would seem a more likely and
grandiose means of connecting the palace with the Rock than the 'Bishop's Walk'. The
Dheulland print also shows what appears to be formal tree-planting crossing the fields to
the south of the Rock, suggesting this area was part of the formal designed landscape of
the archepiscopal demesne (Figure 7). A late eighteenth-century print of the Rock by
Benjamin Thomas also shows the proposed development area, but in this case it is clearly
19E0427 ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT, CASHEL TOWN PARK KILKENNY ARCHAEOLOGY SEPT 2020
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not accurately depicted (Figure 8). A c. 1800 print by George Holmes shows the area to
the north-east of the site occupied by cabins (Figure 9). An 1804 engraving depicts the
area to the south of the Rock as open fields, with some cultivation taking place in the
north-east corner (Figure 10). The 1846 Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland describes the
view towards the town from the Rock as benefitting greatly from the 'archiepiscopal
demesne and the city as a foreground' and an early nineteenth century visitor to the
Palace described its gardens in glowing terms: 'All that can delight the senses is here.
Parterres of lovely flowers and rare shrubs, velvet lawns; secluded walks, rich in odours;
and above the fine screen of holly and laburnum and lilac, and copper beech, and laurel,
tower the Rock and the magnificent ruins that cover it' (Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland,
1846, i, 345). The first edition Ordnance Survey map (1840) depicts the abovementioned
formal gardens of the palace directly to the south of the south wall of the proposed
development site (Figures 11, 12). The garden paths are shown meeting with the wide
avenue on the east side of the proposed development site and the 'Bishop's Walk' is also
marked. At this time the land within the proposed development site was Glebe for the
dean of Cashel, along with two further Glebes which are mentioned by Carlisle: 100
acres at Deans Grove and 11 acres at Ballycrehehan (Carlisle 1810). Following the uniting
of the diocese of Cashel and Emly to Waterford and Lismore in 1834, the last
Archbishop of Cashel, Richard Laurence, moved his seat to Waterford and four years
later the province ceased to be an archbishopric (Leslie 2012, 46-7). From thereon the
deans of Cashel resided in the Palace until the early 1950s and the building and its
grounds, including the proposed development area, was sold in 1960 and developed into
a hotel. A print dating from between c. 1850-62 shows mature trees occupying much of
the northern part of the proposed development site, which accords well with its
depiction on the 1884 Ordnance Survey map (Figures 13, 14). This map shows the area
as open parkland, with the existing stone boundary walls in place, the 'Bishop's Walk' and
a field division in the west. The long avenue shown on the first edition map in the east
has been removed, with only its east wall retained. The subsequent 1892-1913 Ordnance
Survey map shows the layout unchanged, with the exception of the western field division
having been removed (Figures 15). A 1950 oblique aerial photograph of the Rock also
includes a view over the proposed development area, which still has much of the formal
park trees that are marked on the 1884 map.
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Figure 6: Approximate location of proposed development area on 1655 Down Survey barony of
Middlethird (extract)
Figure 7: The South Prospect of the Cathedral Church of St. Patrick and the Rock in Cashell [sic].
[graphic] / by Dheulland, G., engraver. Published / Created: [ca. 1739?].
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Figure 8: Rock of Cashel [graphic] / by Pouncy, Benjamin Thomas, d. 1799 Published / Created:
n.d.] “...Cashel, Rock of (Ireland)...”
Figure 9: 'Rock of Cashel, County of Tipperary' by George Holmes c. 1800 (National Library of
Ireland THOM 91414)
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Figure 10: A south-east view of the Rock of Cashel [graphic] /by Ford, James, fl.1772-1812, engraver.
Published / Created: [1804]“...Cashel, Rock of (Ireland)...”
Figure 11: Proposed development area on 1840 first edition Ordnance Survey map scale six inches to a
mile (1:10560) Sheet 61 (extract)
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Figure 12: Proposed development area on 1840 first edition Ordnance Survey map scale, manuscript town plan of Cashel (scale 1:1056) (extract) (National Archives Ireland)
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Figure 13: Cashel [graphic]. Published / Created: [between ca. 1850 and 1862] “...cashel...”
Figure 14: Proposed development area on 1884 OS map LXI.41 (extract)
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Figure 15: Proposed Development Area on 25-inch Ordnance Survey map of Cashel (extract) (1892-
1913)
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Figure 16: Map of archaeological and built heritage elements within and adjoining proposed development area (see inventory, section 5)
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5. INVENTORY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL/ BUILT
HERITAGE SITES PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
AREA AND ENVIRONS
The following presents descriptions of each of the archaeological and built heritage
elements within and immediately adjoining the proposed development area. The location
of each feature/item is marked on Figure 16.
1. Mound
SMR TS061-025157
A circular, flat-topped c.15m diameter mound projecting from the south slope of St.
Patrick's Rock, with a tree growing in its centre (Figure 17). It is depicted as a circle on
the first edition manuscript Town Plan (1840) and as a grove of trees covering the
mound on the 1884 Ordnance Survey map (Figures 12, 14). Geophysical survey
identified a circular 20m diameter ditch enclosing the perimeter of the mound, as well as
two smaller circular enclosure ditches (Site 31) to its south, all of which is strongly
suggestive of a small ring-barrow cemetery (Figure 4). All of the features are contained
within a 90m x 53m (min.) sub-rectangular enclosure ditch (Site 11). A section excavated
across the south part of this ditch (Site 11) in 2019 determined it is of medieval date, and
therefore probably unrelated to the possible barrows (see below). What might be a fourth
barrow mound (Site 39) is incorporated into the 'Bishop's Walk' (Site 15) and the Town
Plan shows additional circular features in the south-east of the site.
2. Excavation at Gatehouse
SMR TS061-025027
An excavation carried out in 1989 by Conleth Manning immediately to the south of the
southwest corner of the hall of the Vicars choral SMR TS061-025005, prior to the
rearranging of the 19th century gateway revealed a precinct wall and gate which pre-dated
the building of the hall of the Vicars Choral between 1425 and 1440 (Manning 2019, 195)
(Figure 16). The wall of a large structure abutted the north face of the precinct wall. Part
of a wall and gateway, contemporary with the hall of the Vicars Choral, was found set
back 1.25m from the south face of the earlier precinct wall (Manning 2019, 190).
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Figure 17: Site 1, Mound, from the east.
3. Excavation at College of the Vicar's Choral
SMR TS061-025005
Archaeological excavations carried out by Conleth Manning in 1985 and 1989 prior to
the renovation of the hall and dormitory of the Vicar's Choral of St Patrick's Cathedral,
Cashel uncovered structural evidence for the development of the building (Figure 16).
The Vicars Choral was a semi-monastic group of both clergy and laymen appointed by
the chapter of the cathedral to chant during the various church services. The hall of The
Vicars Choral was probably built by Archbishop Richard O'Hedian between 1425 and
1440, with the dormitory added within a few decades (Manning 2019, 195). A Sheela-na-
gig (TS061-025-024) is built into the south face of a quoin at the south-east corner of the
Vicar's Choral.
4. Cross
SMR TS061-025006
One of several medieval funerary monuments moved from elsewhere into storage in the
undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP entry states that
the cross was 'moved in 1981 from its former position, now occupied by a replica, c. 10m
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N of this building and c. 10m SW of the W angle of the S transept of the cathedral
(TS061-025003-)'.
5. Cross
SMR TS061-025062
One of several funerary monuments moved from elsewhere into storage in the
undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP entry states that
the 'portion of a high cross base was uncovered by the OPW in 1991 during the removal
of an 18th-century wall linking the NE angle of Cormac's chapel (TS061-025001-) and
the chancel of the Cathedral (TS061-025003-)'.
6. Graveslab
SMR TS061-025079
One of several funerary monuments moved from elsewhere into storage in the
undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP entry states that
'it originally came from the Franciscan Friary (TS061-025008-) in the town of Cashel
where it is recorded as TS061-025151'.
7. Tomb - Effigial
SMR TS061-025080
One of several funerary monuments moved from elsewhere into storage in the
undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP entry states that
'it originally came from the Hackett chapel of the Franciscan Friary (TS061-025008-) in
the town and when the friary was demolished it had been kept in the grounds of the
convent on the site of the friary'.
8. Chest tomb
SMR TS061-025125
One of several funerary monuments moved from elsewhere into storage in the
undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP entry states that
it was 'formerly in the S wall of the chancel of Athassel Abbey (TS068-013----), this tomb
(see TS068-013011-) was discovered in 1946 and has subsequently been moved to the
college of the Vicars Choral (TS061-025005-) on the Rock of Cashel'.
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9. Tomb - Effigial
SMR TS061-025147
One of several funerary monuments moved from elsewhere on St. Patrick's Rock into
storage in the undercroft of the Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) (Figure 16). The RMP
entry states that is was 'formerly located in the cathedral (TS061-025003-). Only three
fragments of this effigy of an archbishop survive'.
10. Sheila-na-Gig
SMR TS061-025024
A Sheila-na-Gig carved into the south face of a quoin at the south-east corner of the
Vicar's Choral (TS061-025005-) on the Rock of Cashel (Figure 16). The RMP entry states
that is 'contemporary with the building which is attributed to Archbishop Richard
O'Hedian (1406-40)'.
11. Ditch (Geophysical Survey)
90m x 53m (min.) sub-rectangular ditch identified in 2014 geophysical survey
(Earthsound Geophysics 2014, fig. 15) (Figures 4, 16). A section excavated across the
south part of the ditch in 2019 determined it had been dug into the edge of a natural
escarpment, probably in the late twelfth-early thirteenth century, and is therefore
probably unrelated to the possible barrows that it contains (see below and Site 48).
Instead it may represent an early Anglo-Norman settlement at the base of the Rock.
12. Bóthar na Marbh, historic laneway
A slightly sunken c. 270m long gravel pathway leading from Camus Road at the base of
the western slope of St Patrick's Rock to join with Rock Lane just to the south of The
Vicars Choral (Figures 16, 18, 19). The path curves around the east and north side of the
park field (Site 37) and forms its north side. A random rubble stone boundary wall (Site
21) separates it from the park fields (Sites 36 and 37). A gateway (Site 13) separates the
pathway from Camus Road. The Bishop's Walk leads through a gateway (Site 14) into the
north end of Bóthar na Marbh. The path appears on the Ordnance Survey 1840 6 inch
map and the Town Plan (Figures 11, 12). The path shown on the OS 25 inch map
extends to its current length. It is however depicted as dashed line, which probably
indicates a rough track (Figure 14).
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Figure 18: Site 12, pathway of Bothar na Marbh running along the west side of the development area,
west of the boundary wall 21. From the south.
Figure 19: Site 12, pathway of Bothar na Marbh running along the north side of the development area,
north of the boundary wall 21. From the east.
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13. Gateway
Modern gateway at the south end of Bóthar na Marbh formed by two concrete-bonded
stone pillars (Figures 16, 20). The western pillar has been built into the truncated earlier
stone wall (Site 38). The east side of the pedestrian gate is formed by the north pillar of
the gateway( Site 29) in the wall (Site 21). The 1884 OS map shows this wall continuing
across the pathway with a narrow pedestrian gate at the east end (Figure 14).
Figure 20: The south entrance to Bothar na Marbh gateway (Site 13) and adjoining gateway (Site 29),
from southwest.
14. Gateway
Gate or doorway with a lintel and wrought iron gate in wall (Site 21) leading from the
north end of the Bishop's Walk onto the north end of Bóthar na Marbh (Figures 16, 21).
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Figure 21: Looking across the eastern half of the development area towards St. Patrick's Rock with the
gateway Site 14 shown in the wall Site 21, from south-east.
15. 'The Bishop's Walk', historic routeway
Sinuous raised pathway known locally as 'the Bishop's Walk' leading from a gate (Site 18)
in the north (rear) wall of the garden of the Bishop's Palace, up the south slope of St
Patrick's Rock, leading to the gate (Site 14) in wall (Site 21) at the north end of Bóthar na
Marbh (Figures 16, 22, 23). The pathway is c. 165m long and was constructed as a narrow
pedestrian way. The southern 18m of the path runs along the west face of the south
perimeter wall (Site 23). Immediately to the north of this wall, the walk is crossed by a
nineteenth century path/farm track (Site 41). The Bishop's Walk incorporates a flight of
stone and concrete steps (Site 16) c. 20m from its south end; the south retaining wall of
the steps may have formerly supported a gate (Figure 24). To the north of the steps the
walk continues as a sinuous earthwork raised above the surrounding field. The banks are
planted with trees, and it is shown as such on the first edition Ordnance Survey map
(Figures 11, 12). On the manuscript Town Plan (1840) the trees are not shown (Figure
12). What may be a mound (Site 39) associated with the possible barrows (Sites 1, 31) to
the east is incorporated into the walk, near its mid point (Figure 16). The walk is not
shown on the c. 1739 Dheulland view, which if accurate would bracket its construction to
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between c. 1739 and 1840, when it appears on the first edition Ordnance Survey map
(Figures 7, 11). It is also clearly depicted on the 1884 Ordnance Survey map (Figure 14).
Figure 22: Site 15 The Bishop's Walk, from the north.
Figure 23: Site 15, The Bishop's Walk, from the southwest.
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16. Steps
Flight of stone steps incorporated into the Bishop's Walk to the north of the path (Site
41) (Figures 16, 24). Four stone steps are visible, with the upper three steps being of
concrete blocks. It is not clear whether these are replacements or an addition. The base
of the steps is flanked by low retaining stone walls, which may have formerly held a gate.
The steps are not shown on the first edition, 1884 or 25-inch Ordnance Survey maps
(Figures 11, 12, 14, 15).
Figure 24: Site 16, steps in the Bishop's Walk at the north side of the crossing of the Bishop's Walk
and the east-west lane 41, from south.
17. Gateway
Cart gate, with concrete pillars inserted on both sides, crossing the pathway/farm track
(Site 41) at the east side of the Bishop's Walk (Figure 16).
18. Door/Gateway
Door or gate in the north (rear) wall (Site 24) of the archepiscopal Palace's garden, to the
east of a boundary wall (Site 23) (Figures 16, 25). The Bishop's Walk connects it to the
gate (Site 13) in the northern boundary wall of the park fields (Site 21), at the north end
of Bóthar na Marbh. The gate comprises a pedestrian gate or doorway with a flat arch
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lintel of limestone voussoirs and a limestone threshold slab. The gate is barred by a
wrought-iron gate which is flush with the south face and has a wrought-iron 'kissing gate'
at its north side (Figure 25). The wall to its west has partially collapsed, leaving the lintel
and west jamb in danger of collapse.
Figure 25: The door/gateway (Site 18) in the north wall of the Bishop's Palace garden, from the north-
west.
19. Gateway
Gateway in southern boundary wall (Site 26) (Figure 16, 26). Barred by a modern iron
gate. The opening is 2.5m wide and is flanked by square limestone pillars. The west pillar
is not tied into the wall, whilst the east pillar is constructed against the corner of the wall
(Site 25), which forms the west jamb of another gate (Site 32). The eastern pillar may
incorporate the voussoir of a lost arch. This gateway does not appear to be that shown
on the 1884 town plan map; instead it depicts a narrower opening (Figure 14).
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Figure 26: Gateway Site 19 and blocked door/gateway Site 32 in the southern boundary walls, from
north.
20. Gateway
A possible arched blocked gateway in the south-west boundary wall (Site 28) (Figure 16).
21. Boundary Wall
North boundary wall of proposed development area, running along the downslope side
of the Bóthar na Marbh to the south of the Rock (Figure 16). The wall is depicted on
eighteenth and early-nineteenth century prints and is also on the first edition Ordnance
Survey maps (Figures 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15). It stands to 1-1.5m in height and is of
random-rubble limestone construction, with several stretches of rebuild and patching.
The head of the wall is very irregular and there are several mature trees growing alongside
it. The ground level on the downslope side of the wall is higher than the path side and
the ground is uneven. The wall contains two gateways, one at the south end (Site 29) and
the other (Site 14) at the north.
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22. Boundary Wall
Boundary wall at the north-east end of the proposed development area (Figures 16, 27),
formerly the east side of a wide north-south orientated avenue (Site 49) which led up to
the entrance to the Rock of Cashel, as depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey
map, and on the earlier c. 1739 Dheulland view and the c. 1804 James Ford view (Figures
7, 10, 12). The wall is of random rubble limestone construction, standing to a maximum
height of c. 1.7m. Much of it has been considerably reduced and it contains three large
breaches. A wall originally ran parallel to it in the west but this is no longer extant
(Figures 11, 12).
Figure 27: Boundary wall Site 22 at the north-east boundary of the development area, from southwest.
23. Boundary Wall (demolished)
Stone boundary wall in south of proposed development area, running north-west -
south-east from a boundary wall (Site 24) (Figure 16). This wall is depicted on the 1884
Ordnance Survey map and formerly formed part of the east side of the Bishop's Walk
(Figure 14). The wall was demolished prior to the 25-inch OS map and is now replaced
by a post and rail fence.
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Figure 28: North-east corner of the boundary wall, Site 25. The rubble in the foreground may be the
remains of the demolished wall Site 23. Taken from the north-east.
Figure 29: West end of southern boundary wall, Site 25, from the north.
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24. Boundary Wall
North (rear) wall of the former Bishop's Palace garden, of random-rubble limestone,
standing to a height of 2m high (Figure 16). The wall is shown dashed, possibly therefore
under construction, on the first edition 1840 Ordnance Survey map but appears to be
completed as depicted on the manuscript Town Plan (Figures 11, 12). It is also shown as
complete on the 1884 map (Figure 14). The wall contains two gates, Sites 18 and 33.
25. Boundary Wall
Boundary wall to the west of the former Bishop's Palace garden, forming the southern
boundary of the proposed development area (Figures 16, 28, 29). A stretch of the wall
appears to have been demolished and rebuilt (Site 26). The boundary wall continues to
form the west wall of the Bishop's Palace garden and the wall to its west is probably its
return. The boundary wall comprises a well-built semi-coursed limestone wall with
stressed quoins at its east and west ends (Figure 28). It stands to over 2m in height, but
has been considerably reduced in places. The wall contains a single gate (Site 32) (Figure
16). It is shown on the first edition 1840 OS 6 inch map as a dashed line, probably
indicating it was under construction at the time the area was being surveyed (Figures 11).
The wall is shown as completed on the manuscript Town Plan (Figure 12). The stretch of
wall which heads south from the wall does not appear on the first edition map but it is
on the 1884 map (Figure 14) and it may have been built as part of a reordering of the
gardens to the south. Two putlogs of joist sockets were noted in the wall.
26. Boundary Wall
A wall forming part of the south boundary of the proposed development area, possibly a
rebuild of the wall Site 25 (Figure 16). It is of random rubble limestone construction, and
contains the gateway Site 19 at its east end. This wall does not appear on the first edition
Ordnance Survey map but it is on the 1884 map (Figure 14).
27. Boundary Wall
A well-built wall of semi-coursed limestone standing to over 2m in height and forming
the south-west boundary of the proposed development area (Figure 16). It is the
southern return and continuation of the south boundary wall (Site 25). It is shown as a
dashed line on the first edition Ordnance Survey map, indicating it was under
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construction at the time (Figure 11). The manuscript Town Plan and the 1884 map
depict it as built (Figures 12, 14).
28. Boundary Wall
Wall forming the south west boundary of the proposed development area, comprising a
random-rubble limestone wall with large patches of poured concrete (Figure 16). It is
largely overgrown and contains a gateway (Site 20) at its east end. The wall is depicted on
the first edition Ordnance Survey map (Figure 11).
Figure 30: Stamped maker's mark in the iron gate barring gateway, Site 29.
29. Gateway
Gateway forming one of the main entrances into the proposed development area, at the
south-west corner (Figures 16, 30). The gate-opening is 3.5m wide and is flanked my
mismatched pillars. The north pillar is square and built of random rubble, the south pillar
is circular and has a three-part circular capital. A construction scar is visible between the
two. The square north pillar also forms the east jamb of the current pedestrian gate (Site
13). The gate itself is of wrought iron and bears the maker's stamp ' FITZGERALD
CLONMEL' (Figure 30).
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Figure 31: Doorway/gateway, Site 33, at west end of wall, Site 24, from north-west.
Figure 32: Gateway, Site 34, in the north-east wall of the Bishop's Palace garden, from the north.
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Figure 33: West field, Site 36, of the development area, from the southwest. The mound, Site 1, is shown
in the centre.
Figure 34: East field, Site 37, of development area, from the southwest. Looking north towards St.
Patrick's Rock.
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30. Possible enclosure
Large, 90m (east-west) x min. 55m (north-south), ditched enclosure identified in
geophysical survey (Figures 4, 16), which surrounds the possible barrows (Sites 1, 31) but
has been demonstrated through excavation to be of late twelfth-thirteenth century date,
and probably therefore formed part of the primary Anglo-Norman settlement at the foot
of the Rock (see below).
31. Possible enclosure
Possible ring-ditch, 6-7m diameter, identified during the geophysical survey c. 5m to the
south of the mound, Site 1 (Figures 4, 16).
32. Door/gateway
Blocked gateway/door at the north-west corner of boundary wall, Site 25 (Figure 16). It
is a pedestrian gate or doorway with a flat arch lintel of limestone voussoirs. The opening
is blocked by a random rubble limestone wall.
33. Door/gateway
A blocked gateway/door at the east end of the boundary wall (Site 24) (Figures 16, 31). It
is a pedestrian gate or doorway with a flat-arched lintel of limestone voussoirs. The
opening is in a c. 1.5m long wall face which projects c. 0.4m from the face of the wall, Site
24, and which may be part of an earlier construction. The opening is blocked by a
partially-collapsed random-rubble limestone wall. Voussoirs are missing from the lintel,
leaving the wall above in danger of collapse.
34. Gateway
Gateway in the north-east wall of the Bishop's Palace garden (Figures 16, 32). The
opening is 2.5m wide and the gateway is barred by a modern iron gate. Both the east and
west sides of the gateway have been rebuilt using concrete-bonded limestone.
35. Geophysical survey anomalies
A series of geophysical survey anomalies identified during the geophysical survey,
described below (Figures 4, 16).
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36. Field
Sloping open pasture field on the west of the development area (Figures 16, 33).
Bounded on the north and west by boundary wall, Site 21, on the east by the Bishop's
Walk and on the south by the boundary walls 25, 26, 27 and 29. A north-south aligned
fence is shown on the OS 25 inch map, dividing the field in two (Figure 14).
37. Field
Sloping open pasture field on the east side of the development area (Figures 16, 34).
Bounded on the north by the boundary wall, Site 21, on the east by boundary wall, Site
22, on the west by the Bishop's Walk and on the south by the garden of the Bishop's
Palace. The field extends over the former laneway, Site 49, at the east.
38. Wall
Random-rubble wall which originally crossed the south end of Bothar na Marbh with a
pedestrian gate at the east end. The wall has been partially demolished and replaced by a
gateway (Site 13). The wall and pedestrian gate are shown on the 1884 town plan map
(Figure 14).
39. Possible ring-ditch or enclosure
A mound, possibly a barrow, incorporated into the banks of the Bishop's Walk (Site 15)
(Figures 16, 35). It is a circular feature, 10m - 14m in diameter, near the mid-point of the
Bishop's Walk. It is most evident at the east side of the walk, where it presents as a
pronounced curved bank. The feature is shown on the first edition OS 6-inch map
(Figure 11) and the manuscript Town Plan (Figure 12).
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Figure 35: Possible barrow, Site 39, indicated by a pronounced curved earthwork at the mid point of the
Bishop's Walk, from north-west.
Figure 36: Former gateway, Site 40, at the south side of the east-west lane, Site 41, from the south-east.
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40. Gateway
A gateway crossing The Bishops Walk (Site 15) at the south side of a path (Site 41)
(Figures 16, 36). Two low random rubble limestone walls flank the opening. The fence,
Site 43, ran westward from the gate, separating the paths, Sites 41 and 42.
41. Path
A path or farm-track leading from the gate (Site 34) in the north-east wall of the Bishop's
Palace garden to the gate (Site 19) in the boundary wall (Site 26) (Figure 16).
42. Path
A path which branched off the Bishop's Walk just south of the gate (Site 40) and led west
to the gate (Site 32) (Figure 16). The path is shown of the 1884 town plan map running
along the north face of the wall Site 25 (Figure 14).
Figure 37: Rounded southern pillar of gateway, Site 29, at the north end of wall, Site 44, from the west.
43. Fence
A fence separating the paths (Sites 41 and 42) north of the wall (Site 25) shown on the
1884 town plan map (Figures 14, 16).
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44. Wall
A wall of random rubble limestone, running south from the gate (Site 29) to the south
end of Bothar na Marbh (Figures 16, 37). The round southern pillar of the gate post-dates
the wall - a construction scar is visible where the pillar was introduced.
45. Ice House
Circular ice-house, c. 5m in diameter, marked on the 1884 town plan map, 20m south of
the gate, Site 20 (Figures 13, 16). The structure itself is not shown on the 1840 OS 6-inch
map but its location is labeled 'Ice Hs' (Figure 11). It is clearly depicted as a circular
structure on the 1840 manuscript Town Plan (Figure 12). According to local information
the structure is still extant within the rear garden of a dwelling house.
46. Building
A rectangular structure marked on the 1840 Town Plan and OS 6-inch map in the south-
west of the western field (Figures 11, 12, 16). The structure is not marked on the
subsequent 1884 OS map (Figure 14). It is depicted as a rectangular building, c. 10m x
8m, and may have been associated with gardens shown on the first edition map (Figure
11).
47. Building
A small rectangular building shown on the 1840 OS 6 inch-map, fronting onto Camus
Road (Figures 11, 12, 16). The building is depicted as a 7m x 5m rectangular structure,
aligned north-east-southwest (Figure 11). The building is not shown as standing on the
1884 map (Figure 14) but the some of its fabric may survive as part of a boundary wall.
48. Archaeological excavation
Archaeological test trenches (licence 19E0427), see below Section 6.
49. Lane
Lane shown on the 1840 OS 6 inch map running south-east from the main entrance at
the south of the St Patrick's Rock towards Moor Lane (Figures 11, 16). A walled pathway
is shown at roughly the same location on the c. 1739 engraving (Figure 7).
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Figure 38: Plan of Trenches 3, 4, 5, 6 Rock Road and Rock of Cashel (Pollock 2016)
50. Archaeological test-excavation
The following is the Excavations Bulletin summary of the test excavations undertaken by
Dave Pollock on the road to the south-west of the Rock of Cashel (Figures 16, 38)
(Pollock 2016): 'In May 2016 seven test trenches were cut through the road climbing the
Rock of Cashel, and into the south-west corner of the hilltop enclosure, to assess the
proposed route for new service ducting. All trenches encountered soil and rubble, but
there was no clear indication of an early metalled road on the present approach, which
has been the main approach since at least the 1840s. Test trenching in the south-west
corner of the hilltop enclosure found a substantial depth of rubble and soil overlying
archaeological levels (a thin skim over bedrock). In Trench 3 clean bedrock at the foot of
the medieval wall was overlain by 0.6m of late rubble, and fragmentary floor remains
nearby were lower, under more than 0.8m of soil and rubble. Similar late rubble and soil
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against the east and north side of the corner tower extended to at least 0.5m below
ground level in the hollow. No human burials were found during the testing. A few
disarticulated and broken pieces of possible arm or leg bone were observed in Trenches 2
and 3, amongst rubble. No articulated pieces and no teeth or skull fragments were found.
Cutting the ducting trench up the approach road was monitored from the evening of 30
May. Most of the works were undertaken between 5.30 pm and dusk, to minimise the
nuisance for visitors and staff at the Rock. Trench 9, on the hilltop, cut into a deep
rubble soil, mostly spoil from the later 20th century, but some perhaps associated with
19th-century conservation works. Prior to this the ground was probably outcropping
rock with a thin and patchy covering of topsoil. There was no indication of graves cut
into the rock in this area, and very little of the late medieval building between the corner
tower and the surviving hall of the Vicars Choral is likely to have survived. Under the
present approach road bedrock is close to ground level on the uphill side, but in places
below the depth (0.7m) of the new service trench on the downhill side. A deep layer of
rubble and soil under the present road probably represents earlier paths, over pockets of
old soil and occasional patches of clay subsoil. Material of archaeological interest has
survived on a terrace in the vicinity of Trench 10, and may be quite extensive, below the
depth of Trench 8. Elsewhere survival is probably poor, on formerly exposed rock.
51. Archaeological test-excavation
Archaeological assessment (licence E4750) undertaken by Joanne Hughes in 2015 in
advance of the redevelopment of the former archepiscopal palace included the
excavation of seventeen trenches, four of which (Trenches 13, 15, 16, 17) were situated
in the walled garden enclosure immediately to the south of the proposed development
site and 45m south of the test trench excavated within it (Hurley 2017) (Figure 16).2 In
Hughes's Trenches 16-17 a series of linear features which were found cutting the subsoil
were interpreted as the remains of slots for earthfast sill-beam houses, sealed beneath
1.2m of horticultural soils (Trenches 16, 17), which the excavator suggested were
introduced for the archbishops' gardens (Hurley 2017, 10). Whilst these were regarded as
cultivation furrows and features 'typical of ground cultivation' by Hurley, the clear
evidence for identical sill-beam structures, a ditch and other features of medieval date in
2 Whilst this report was not available to view, a summary critique of it was included in a subsequent
assessment by Maurice Hurley of the same development (Hurley 2017).
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Test Trench 1 excavated for the present project supports Hughes's interpretation and
strongly suggests the continuation to the south of the early Anglo-Norman settlement.
Another of Hughes's trenches, Trench 13, was placed across the line of the town wall,
revealing a 1.4m wide x 1.2m deep stone wall set on an off-set footing to the north
(Hurley 2017, 8). No indication of a fosse was present; medieval pits were identified
cutting the subsoil to the north of the wall.
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6. ARCHAEOLOGICAL TEST EXCAVATIONS
19E0427
6.1 Introduction
Test-excavations were undertaken within the proposed development area 15th-19th July
2019 under excavation licence 19E0427 and 27th-29th May 2020 under excavation
licence 19E0427 (ext.). Four trenches in total were excavated within the proposed
development area (Figure 39). Test-trench 1, excavated in July 2019, was dug as a
research exercise with the primary aim of assessing the date and physical form of a
rectangular enclosure that was identified by geophysical survey as surrounding the
putative barrow RMP TS061-025157- (Figures 39, 40). The excavations were undertaken
in conjunction with the Leverhulme Trust funded project Comparative Kingship: the
early medieval kingdoms of Northern Britain and Ireland' (grant ref. RL-2016-069)
(principal investigator Dr Patrick Gleeson, Queen's University Belfast). A single 3m wide
x 25m trench was excavated across the south side of the enclosure (Figures 40, 41). The
sod was removed by a 10-ton mechanical excavator and the rest of the excavation was
undertaken manually. All of the exposed archaeological features described below have
been preserved in situ, apart from discrete sondages that were excavated into the possible
foundation trench [011], posthole [005] and the fosse [017] (Figure 40).
Test-trenches 2 and 3 were excavated in order to assess the potential archaeological
impact of the original layout proposals (since modified) for a play area for the Town Park
in the eastern portion of the site (Figure 39). An area of high magnetic interference had
been identified in the area of test-trench 2 and no clear geophysical anomalies had been
identified in the area of test trench 3 (Figures 40, 41). As in test-trench 2, the sod was
removed by a 10-ton mechanical excavator and the rest of the excavation was undertaken
manually. All of the exposed archaeological features were preserved in situ, apart from
discrete sondages which were excavated into the fills of features to obtain dating
evidence.
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Figure 39: Location of archaeological test trenches 1-4, 19E0427 on site location map
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Figure 40: Location of archaeological test trenches 1-4, 19E0427 on magnetic gradiometer data (Earthsound Geophysics 2014, fig. 3)
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Figure 41: Location of archaeological test trenches 1-4, 19E0427 on In-phase data level 1 (Earthsound Geophysics 2014, fig. 5)
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Figure 42: Test trench 1, 19E0427, west-facing section (top), mid-excavation (middle) and final (bottom) excavation plans.
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Figure 43: Excavation trench 1, 19E0427, from south, putative ring barrow top left.
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Figure 44: Test trench 1, 19E0427, uncovering metalled surface [0363] sealed underneath bank
[013], [014], from north.
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Figure 45: Test-Trench 1, 19E427 excavations underway 16th July 2019, from south.
Figure 46: 19E427, Test Trench 1, House 2, from south.
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Figure 47: Test Trench 1, 19E427, metalled surface [036] under bank [013], [014], and ditch
[017], from north-west.
Figure 48: Test Trench 1, 19E427, clay bank [ 014] and loose stone [013], from north-west
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6.2 Test-Trench 1 Summary of Findings
6.2.1 Stratigraphy
The glacial boulder clay [002] sloped sharply down from north (109.25m OD) to south
(106.55m OD), forming a distinctive east-west orientated escarpment (Figure 42). On the
flat ground to the north of the escarpment and cutting into the boulder clay were two
slot trenches [003] and [009] and a posthole [005], the north-west corner of a rectangular
earthfast sill-beam structure (Structure 1) of medieval type; a posthole [005] immediately
inside its west wall produced a small (31 mm) iron handle (19E427:005:001), similar to a
late twelfth-early thirteenth century casket handle from Waterford (Scully 19087, 453, 455
(no.20)) (Figure 42). The foundation slots cut into an earlier 4.5m long x 0.8m wide
(min.) x 0.3m deep north-south running linear cut [011], possibly representing an earlier
foundation trench (Figure 42). At the south end of the excavation trench two foundation
slots, [024] and [022], and a posthole [026] for the north-east corner of a second
earthfast sill-beam structure (Structure 2) were noted; none of the slots were excavated in
this instance (Figures 42, 46). Structure 2 also truncated an earlier north-south linear gully
[030], which was probably an agricultural furrow.
Between the two houses, and probably truncating Structure 1, a 2m wide x 1.2m deep V-
profiled ditch [017] had been formed by excavating into the edge of the escarpment
(Figures 42, 47). At its narrowest point the base was just 0.6 wide, perhaps therefore
indicating it was intended as a defensive ditch. Upcast from the ditch had been placed
upslope (to the north) to form a 0.75m high x 2m wide clay bank [014], the interior of
which was revetted with loose stones [013] (Figures 42, 47). The bank produced a sherd
of Ham Green B pottery, an iron handle and a fragment of an iron buckle, as well as
animal bone and charred grain. It was set upon a roughly stone-metalled formation level
[036], which was presumably laid in order to provide it with a stable platform (Figures 42,
47).
The base of the ditch had filled through natural silting, represented by silted layers [043]
and [034]; the latter produced three sherds of Cashel-type pottery (Figure 42). Following
backfilling of the ditch, the downslope was levelled by the largescale dumping of stone
and clay layers [029], [019], [028], [044] and [018], which contained an abundance of
animal bone, much of it butchered. A silver halfpenny of John as Lord of Ireland (1190-
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98) (19E427:18:25) was found in the uppermost dump layer [018], along with Cashel-type
pottery, medieval buckles and a twelfth-early thirteenth century Class 11 bronze stick pin
with applied decoration (19E427:18:24) (O'Rahilly 1998, 28-9) (Figures 71, 72), a fine
polished hone-stone fragment and a prehistoric struck flint. A pit [015] which truncated
the south side of the bank [014] produced a silver Edward IV penny (1461-83)
(19E427:16:4) in its stony fill [016] (Figure 42). An intact ring-brooch (thirteenth-
fourteenth century) (19E427:001:37) was recovered from the topsoil (Figure 73).
6.3 Test-Trench 2
Test-trench 2 was a north-west - south-east aligned cutting excavated in the north-west
corner of the proposed development area, 15m south-east of the pedestrian gate in the
north boundary wall (Figure 39). The trench was 20.4m long and 1.5m wide. The ground
level into which Trench 2 was excavated sloped downwards from 117.1m OD at the
north-west end to 116.15m at the south-east (Figures 49, 50). The trench was 0.8m –
1.1m deep, deepening to 1.6m at the center of the trench where a pit [205] and ditch
[207] were investigated. A 0.5m square sondage was excavated to a maximum depth of
2.45m below present ground level (113.3m OD) into the fills of the ditch [207] (Figure
54).
The natural glacial boulder clay [218] was present at c. 0.75m below ground level, sloping
down from north-west to south-east and overlying the pale-grey bedded limestone with
chert bedrock of the Hore Abbey formation.
Ditch [207]
A large 7.25m wide and > 1.6m deep ditch [207] cut into the boulder clay [218] and the
bedrock and orientated in a general east-west direction to follow a natural escarpment at
the base of the Rock was identified in the north of the test trench (Figures 49, 50). The
ditch was not identified in the area of the test trench in the geophysical analysis; instead
this location produced a high magnetic response indicative of disturbance, probably
deriving from a large post-medieval stone-filled pit [205] which had been dug into the
backfills of the ditch (Figures 40, 53). However, the continuation of the ditch to the west
may correlate with a linear anomaly that was identified in the geophysical survey (Figure
41). The sides and base of the ditch were not excavated, instead a 0.5m x 0.5m sondage
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was excavated into its central backfills (Figures 49, 50). The ditch was cut across the
escarpment so that its north edge was higher (115.88m OD) than the south (114.6m
OD). A mixed > 1.5m wide deposit of boulder clay and stone [206] dumped to the north
of the ditch [207] may be a remnant of what was originally an internal (north) bank.
Exposed in the southwest side of the trench was the near-vertical face of a north-south
aligned 0.9m long x > 1.15m deep spur of bedrock that ran perpendicular to, and may
have spanned the line of the ditch to form a causeway or bridge across its extent (Figures
49, 50, 54).
Six fills were recorded in the ditch (Figure 50). The lowest two ditch-fills, [215] and [214],
were noted in the sondage excavated into the centre of the ditch. [215] was investigated
to a depth of 0.44m but was not bottomed and extended below the base of excavation. It
was a very mixed, loose, dumped deposit of dark-grey silty-clay with frequent small to
medium-sized sub-angular stones and frequent animal bones, several of which bore clear
butchery marks. A single sherd of Cashel-type medieval (13th-14th century) pottery was
recovered from the base of the excavated deposit. Overlying [215] was a c. 0.3m thick
mid-grey/brown silty-clay with occasional small to medium sized stones, moderate
fragments of animal bone and occasional flecks and small lumps of charcoal. Both [215]
and [214] were dumped directly against the east face of the bedrock 'causeway'.
Overlying [214] and the top of the undug bedrock bridge was a loose deposit of mid
brown/grey silty clay and wood-ash [219], probably occupation debris that had been
dumped into the ditch. It, in turn, underlay [203], the upper fill of the north side of the
ditch [207]. It was c. 5.4m wide and 0.38m – 0.62m thick, sloped down from north-west
to south-east, and comprised of dark-brown silty-clay and moderate small to medium
sized stones, with several discrete lenses of stone throughout the deposit. The deposit
contained fragments of animal bone and four sherds of Cashel-type medieval pottery.
Overlying [203] at the south side of the ditch was a 0.24m thick x 0.5m wide dumped
deposit of ash and clay [213], comprised of c. 80% compacted mid yellow/brown ash and
c. 20% mid grey silty clay with frequent animal bones. Eleven sherds of Cashel type
medieval pottery were recovered from the deposit. The ash deposit [213] was sealed by
the uppermost fill of the ditch, a 0.18m thick dumped deposit of mid-grey/brown silty-
clay with occasional small stones [208].
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Figure 49: Plan of 19E427 Test-Trench 2
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Figure 50: North-east facing section of 19E427 Test-Trench 2
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Figure 51: Vertical aerial shot of 19E427 Test-Trench 2. The ranging rods are aligned on the ditch [207].
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Figure 52: 19E427 Test-Trench 2, from the north-west, showing line of ditch [207].
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Figure 53: 19E427 Test-Trench 2, the partially excavated stone fill pit [205] truncating the fills of the
ditch [207], from the east.
Figure 54: 19E427 Test-Trench 2, sondage at the base of excavation from the south-east, showing the
exposed bedrock, fills of the ditch [207] and the later stone filled pit [205].
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Possible post hole [209]
A possible post-hole [209] was uncovered immediately south of the south edge of the
ditch [207], cutting into the natural boulder clay [218] (Figure 49). Its sub-oval cut
measured 0.4m x 0.3m and it was filled by a deposit of dark grey silty-clay [210]. The
feature was not excavated.
Pit [211]
A large 6.6m x 2m wide pit [211] was uncovered at the south-east end of Test-Trench 2,
cut into the natural boulder clay [218] (Figure 49). Its upper fill was a dumped deposit of
mid-grey silty-clay with moderate small sub-angular stones [212]. The feature was not
excavated.
Leveling deposits
A series of four dumped leveling deposits raised the ground level by c. 0.8m – 1m and
overlay the features that cut the natural boulder clay (Figures 49, 50). The earliest make-
up deposit comprised of a small patch of redeposited boulder clay [217] which overlay
the south side of the ditch [207] and was sealed by [216], a 0.4m – 0.58m thick, dumped
mid-brown/grey silty-clay with occasional small stones, charcoal, coal and animal bone.
It overlay the upper fills of the ditch [207] and the pits [205] and [211]. Overlying the
north-west end of [216] was a 4.6m wide and up to 0.64m thick, loose dumped deposit of
stone and clay [220] that may have been dumped to counteract subsidence of the
backfills of the ditch [207]. The final leveling deposit was a 0.55m thick, loose dumped
deposit of stone in a matrix of mid grey/brown clay [202], with occasional animal bones
and fragments of coal and charcoal.
Stone-filled pit [205]
A large, 4.8m (north-east to south-west) x > 1.6m pit [205] was cut through the backfill
of the ditch [207] and the leveling deposits [220] and [202] (Figures 49, 50, 53). The pit
was partially excavated to a depth of 1m and continued below the base of excavations.
The sides of the cut were concave. The pit was backfilled by a single deposit [204] which
comprised almost entirely of loose stone, small to medium sized sub-angular and angular
limestones (c. 0.4m x 0.4m x 0.4m), with occasional larger stones (Figure 53). There was
no sign that the stones had been derived from building activities and they appear, instead,
to have been field stones, perhaps dumped in the pit to provide drainage for a sump
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feature. Amongst the stones there were occasional fragments of handmade, probably
18th century, red brick and animal bone.
Topsoil 201
The 0.1m - 0.18m thick topsoil [201] covered the stone-filled pit [205] and extended
throughout the trench..
Figure 55: 19E427 Test-Trench 3, plan.
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Figure 56: 19E427, Test-Trench 3, sections sondages through possible corn-drying kilns.
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6.6 Finds assemblage
Three hundred and seventy five artefacts in total were recovered from the two phases of
test-excavation. Specialist finds reports are currently being written and will be included in
the final report. The following is therefore a preliminary overview of the artefactual
assemblage. Fifty-two sherds of medieval pottery were recovered. Apart from three
sherds of a Ham Green B jug, the medieval pottery assemblage was entirely of the locally
produced glazed earthenware known as Cashel-type, which is conventionally and broadly
dated to the thirteenth-fourteenth century. Fifty sherds of post-medieval pottery were
recovered, predominantly local glazed red earthenware, Creamware and transfer printed
wares. Eight clay pipe fragments from the excavations included two bowls of eighteenth
century date. The glass assemblage includes eight fragments of bottle glass, including the
bases of eighteenth century wine bottles, and four fragments of clear window glass. The
excavations yielded twenty-eight lead objects, including six lead pistol/musket-balls,
some flattened by having been shot, a fragment of a lead stylus and window came
fragments. Eight coins were found: a half coin and half-penny of (?)John lord of Ireland
(1180-1210), a Henry III (?) silver penny, an Edward IV coin, a two George II 1741 ½ d.
coins, an Elizabeth I 1600 or 1601 ½ d. coin, an unidentified coin and a 16th century
Nuremburg jeton. A rare example of a c. 16th century Antwerp coin weight (14mm
square), with a 9 and 2 flanking the 'Antwerp hand' was also found (Figure 75).
Forty copper alloy objects are included in the assemblage: two medieval copper alloy ring
brooches (Figures 72, 73), two medieval rectangular copper alloy buckles, a stick pin with
flat tapered point (Figure 71), ten buttons, including three regimental livery buttons with
the number '16' on their faces, a button with a serpent and anchor and a button with
pinkish glass in a copper alloy mount, two dress pins with wound heads, a decorated
copper alloy cufflink, a decorated copper alloy trigger guard (Figure 74), three mounts, a
possible copper alloy strap end, various strips of copper alloy and (snare?) wires. A silver
shoe-buckle frame was also recovered (Figure 73). Two bone/antler objects are also
present, a fine, near-complete medieval stylus/parchment pricker with turned decoration
(Figure 70) and a bone point. A total of 163 iron objects were recovered, 116 of which
were nails. In addition, four iron buckle fragments, a fragment of iron chain mail, a jews
harp, a possible iron arrowhead and various amorphous fragments of iron were found. A
hone stone fragment was the sole artefact of stone.
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6.7 Preliminary Interpretation
The excavations in test-trench 1 identified the foundation slots for two earthfast sill-
beam structures, probably representing elements of rectangular houses, inside a ditch-
and-bank enclosure which can be dated by the John, lord of Ireland coins to the late
twelfth-early thirteenth century (Figure 39). Whilst there is nothing to indicate the ditch is
of early medieval (or pre Anglo-Norman) date it is possible it was reused by the
Normans. Forthcoming radiocarbon dating of bone samples from its base should be able
to determine whether or not this was the case. It is difficult at this early stage and without
the benefit of radiocarbon dates to interpret the archaeology uncovered but it could form
part of an early, perhaps primary, Anglo-Norman settlement in the area which
subsequently became an extra-mural suburban settlement following construction of the
town wall in around the mid thirteenth century. The large, steep, ditch probably post-
dates the two structures - it appears to truncate Structure 1 - and is clearly defensive in
character (Figure 42). If it forms part of the large 90m x 55m (min) rectangular enclosure
identified in geophysics, as it appears to do, it could be interpreted as part of the 'old
town' of Cashel which is referred to in the dispute between the crown and the
archbishopric in 1218 (Bradley 1985, 44-5).
What may well be the continuation of this settlement to the east may be represented by
the possible drying kilns and various pits and gullies, many of which are dated by Cashel-
type pottery to the 13th-14th centuries, uncovered in test-trenches 2-4, and the similar
array of structures and features identified to the south found in the test-excavations
undertaken in the grounds of the former archepiscopal palace by Joanne Hughes (licence
E4750) (Figure 39). The large 7.25m wide x > 1.6m deep rock-cut ditch [207], complete
with what appears to be a rock-bridge crossing, in test-trench 2 is presently poorly
understood because it proved impossible within the constraints of the excavated test-
trench to reach its base (Figures 49, 50). The recovery of Cashel-type pottery from the
lowest ditch-fill that was reached in the excavation indicates it was at least partially
backfilled at some point after the 13th-14th century, but its date of construction could be
considerably earlier. The ditch may be potentially of significance for our understanding
of the topography of the pre Anglo-Norman ecclesiastical site and its preceding role as
seat of Munster’s over-kingship in the early medieval period.
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Figure 76: Proposed Town Park development overlain on map of archaeological and built heritage sites (inventorised in Section 5).
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Figure 77: Potential areas of the proposed development requiring sub-surface excavation. Note only the north-east commencement of the boardwalk requires sub-surface footings (Paul
Hogarth Company).
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Figure 78: Proposed layout plan of timber boardwalk (Paul Hogarth Company)
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Figure 79: Proposed typical engineering designs for boardwalk (OSCS Engineers)
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