County: Galway Site name: MIDDLE STREET, Townparks
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Miriam Clyne
Site type: Town
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 529765m, N 724929m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.270044, -9.052912
The excavation, of three weeks' duration, was funded by Galway Corporation. The excavation site, situated within the area of the old town walls, was part of a vacant site due for development. An area 8m x 32m was explored, but only rapid partial excavation was possible owing to the restricted time allowed for excavation.
Post-medieval house foundations and pits were uncovered, built on boulder clay. There was no evidence for earlier occupation. The two houses fronted Middle St. and were constructed towards the end of the 17th century. The pits were to the rear of the houses. These were lined with stone and, in one case, stone and brick. Two of the pits contained organic material. A large quantity of finds, mostly glass and pottery, dating from the late 17th and 18th centuries came from the other two pits. There were wine glasses and wine, gin and medicine bottles. The pottery consisted of native Irish and imported wares.
In the west of the excavation site there was a basement, apparently of more recent construction, which was not excavated.
Templemartin, Craughwell, Co. Galway
