1992:112 - KILKENNY: Chapel Lane, Kilkenny

Archaeological excavations were carried out at Chapel Lane, Kilkenny, between 28th September–9th October. As this lies within the old medieval town of Kilkenny, archaeological investigations were carried out prior to development.

Trenches A and B: Modern disturbance had occurred down to subsoil levels in both trenches. There were 2 features of interest—both modern—but containing significant amounts of medieval pottery, suggesting they may have disturbed some medieval feature or deposit. One, found in Trench A, consisted of a thin spread of clay just above the subsoil level. It contained at least 12 sherds of medieval pottery. A modern soakaway may also have disturbed a medieval feature. This extended east-west across both trenches. Within it was a small dump of clay containing 12 sherds of pottery, all medieval in date. This may represent the redeposited remains of a medieval feature removed by the digging of the soakaway. Other layers within the soakaway also contained medieval pottery.

Trenches C, D, and E: From c. 1839 onwards a series of fires totally devastated this part of the site. All 3 trenches were disturbed down to subsoil levels with modern cellars which were cut into the subsoil itself. All 3 were filled with large amounts of burnt material. In some areas this burning extended down nearly to subsoil levels. Consequently, no archaeological finds or features were recovered. However, at least 3 gravestones/slabs have been found from this area (one dated to 1280) and the site also retains its medieval burgage plot layout along the line of Chapel Lane.

1 Granite Hall, Rosmeen Gdns, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin