2023:873 - Nenagh, Tipperary

A programme of Archaeological Monitoring of the foundation pits/trenches associated with the erection of eight replacement electricity supply poles and a replacement support stay was undertaken at Nenagh Town, Co. Tipperary

All of the replacement poles were located within the RMP Zone/SMR Zone of Notification established with respect to Nenagh (Historic Town; SMR No: TN020-037). Pole GD348 was located on Church View; human remains were uncovered on this street in the 1960s, associated with ESB works, although the exact location is unrecorded. Pole GD291 was located in Well Road, outside the graveyard of the Franciscan Friary (TN020-0370020 and potentially on, or adjacent, the speculative route of the Town Defences (TN037-006). The remaining excavation locations were not positioned in close proximity to any previously identified individual monuments or associated extents

Notification of the works was submitted to the National Monuments Service, as required under Section 12(3) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, who recommended that all ground disturbance associated with the works be monitored by an archaeologist and under licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The works were located with pavements/footpaths along Abbey Street, Summerhill. Church View, Thomas McDonagh Street, Well Road and Friary Street Carpark, with one positioned in a grassy area of the railway station; the replacement stay support was located in the green area of Tobar Mhuire.

The surface dimensions of the trenches varied in size and terminated at depths of 1.6m (Steel Pole) or 1.9m (Timber Pole).

No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered by the excavations; likewise, no artefacts of archaeological or historical interest were recovered.