1992:117 - KILKENNY: 8 Parliament St, Kilkenny

Archaeological excavations were carried out at 8 Parliament St, Kilkenny between 11th–15th May. As this area lies within the old medieval town of Kilkenny, archaeological investigations were carried out prior to proposed development. The site backs onto an old brewery (est. 1702) and expansion here, from the mid 19th century on, took in the yard area to the rear of nos. 7 & 8, including the site of the excavation itself. The brewery closed in 1914.

Four trenches were excavated along the lines of the proposed foundations of the building. From these investigations it was apparent that modern disturbance, probably a result of intensive brewery activity, had removed or cut any archaeological features and/or deposits that may have been on the site. The building of walls for the brewery in particular (with accompanying foundation trenches etc.) would have removed any features. A few sherds of medieval pottery were recovered but most of the activity appears to be 19th/20th century in date. No medieval features or structures were uncovered in the excavated trenches. Furthermore, this modern disturbance continued down to natural subsoil level.

The most interesting aspect of the site was the way it had retained its medieval burgage plot layout. This was especially true for the wall and alleyway between nos 8 and 9 Parliament St. Here a modern wall is probably lying on the line of the old medieval boundary. Thus, we have a modern property boundary preserving the line of the old medieval property boundary. This, and the few sherds of medieval pottery, point to some medieval activity on the site.

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