County: Tipperary Site name: CLONMEL: Sarsfield St./Quays
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 83:19 Licence number: 93E0094
Author: Mary Henry
Site type: Midden and Watermill - unclassified
Period/Dating: Post Medieval (AD 1600-AD 1750)
ITM: E 620145m, N 622350m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.352375, -7.704280
The site is located at the southern end of Sarsfield St. It fronts the Quays. The line of the town wall appears to have extended through the site. Documentary records also indicate that a bastion, ie a quadrangular fortification, occurred at the southern end of Sarsfield St. The bastion seems to have commanded the town wall and to have defended the entrance to the port.
The archaeological investigations confirmed that the town wall had been demolished. There were no structures present to confirm the existence of a bastion on the site. However, other findings emerged.
Organic layers were found at depths of between 1.6m and 2.1m. The layers, which were very dark in colour and had a strong organic smell, contained human and occupational waste. The finds included animal bones, charcoal, oyster shells, hazelnut shells, blackberries, broken clay pipes, sherds of pottery, strands of leather and other occupational waste. The results from the archaeobotanical assessment confirmed the existence of annual weeds from disturbed ground, including waste areas and cultivated land, within the town.
The archaeological evidence dated the organic deposits to the late 1600s and the early 1700s.
The remains of a millrace-like feature were found in the north-west corner of the site. The find was not surprising, given the close proximity of the site to the river front. By the end of the 17th century, Clonmel was experiencing the start of a period of peace and economic prosperity. For example, in 1667 the woollen industry was introduced to Clonmel. Approximately 500 families of Belgian Walloons came to the town to work in the woollen mills. Further industrial development occurred, particularly along the Quays, in the 18th century. Several corn mills were constructed by the mid 1700s.
The millrace had been substantially altered by the building of several additional walls. The feature was 4m long and 3.5m wide. It was built of sandstone. The arched openings occurred in the eastern and western faces. Along its eastern face there was a cutwater. A series of latter walls abutted the millrace.
The dating evidence suggests that the millrace dated to before the end of the 17th century. The millrace was retained by the developer.
34 Queen St., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
