1992:024 - CORK: Red Abbey Yards, Cork

The Red Abbey is the oldest standing building in Cork and the tower is a National Monument in the care of Cork Corporation. It was originally part of an Augustinian Priory built in the later 13th or early 14th centuries. Prior to redevelopment, the area north of the tower (the only standing survivor of the complex) became available for excavation in April 1992. Four trenches were opened, confined to the areas of proposed re-development.

Medieval: Two medieval walls (F26 TIII and F43 TI) were recorded. F26 (TIII) extended in a north-south direction for 7m and was composed of roughly dressed, randomly-coursed limestone blocks. Associated features consisted of a mortar spread, denoting the construction level for the wall, and 2 floor surfaces, primary and secondary, with an intermediate level of sterile sandy silt. Traces of render were evident on the east (interior) face of the wall; this was contemporary with the laying of the primary floor surface. Associated pottery sherds have been dated to the mid 13th century. The 2nd wall (F43 TI) ran in an east-west direction for 3.2m. Only the foundation levels were present and consisted of roughly-faced limestones. Associated pottery sherds have been dated to the mid 13th century.

17th century: A cobbled surface was found on the east side of the site and material from the earlier medieval wall (F43 TI) was used in its construction. First a layer of light brown/orange gravel was deposited in order to raise the ground level. The cobbles were set into this and the tightly packed surface consisted of red sandstone, limestone, granite and red-veined marble. The surface was divided by 2 cambers and a drain. A compact silty layer overlay the cobbles and this possibly represents the accumulation of debris on the yard during use. No dateable finds were recovered, however, above this again was a deposit containing early 18th-century pottery. Contemporary with the cobbles a wall was constructed to the north of the site. This ran in an east-west direction and was composed of randomly-coursed, roughly-dressed limestone with a slight batter on both the north and south faces. Above the foundation level the north face was rendered. This wall may represent the northern limit of the abbey complex as it was the dividing wall between the slob land to the north and the habitable areas to the south. The dumping layers to the north of the wall have been dated to the late 17th century. At this time the marshy ground to the north of the abbey was infilled.

18th century: This is represented by a series of pottery deposits spread over the areas of Trenches I and IV. The material represents the waste produce of a pottery kiln, operating in the late 18th century, which may have been located near the Red Abbey. Almost half of these 'wasters' represent small shallow dishes which may have had an industrial use. Also included are straight-sided bowls, jugs, ointment jars, chamber pots, wig curlers (manufactured in the same clay as the pottery) and roof tiles.

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