1994:167 - CARLINGFORD: Tholsel St., Louth

The site of a proposed residential development at Tholsel St., Carlingford, was archaeologically tested on May 17, 1994 on behalf of Archaeological Development Services Ltd. The site in question adjoins the Tholsel, one of the town's medieval gateways and during the testing, traces of a wall over 1m in thickness was discovered running parallel to Tholsel St. with an apparent return towards the south-west corner. It was decided that a small excavation should take place in the area around the Tholsel in order to ascertain the relationship between it and the wall. It was also decided to monitor the excavation of the foundation trenches for the house to determine the exact line of the wall and any other features which may have been present. This was carried out on October 4–5, 1994.

From the excavations it became apparent that the entire site was cut into the side of the natural hillock on which the church of the Holy Trinity stands. The part of the site next to Tholsel St. would appear to be the only area where any significant medieval development took place. Excavation at the Tholsel seems to confirm the 15th-century date already proposed for it as its foundations can be clearly seen resting on an organic layer containing 14th/15th-century pottery. A wall was discovered adjoining the Tholsel on the south side, the foundations of which rested on the foundations of the Tholsel. This wall was obviously part of a building which was still present in 1835 as it can be seen on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey 6" map. It is slightly unusual in that it is not aligned perfectly with the Tholsel as it stands at present, but is with the original Tholsel foundations, indicating a date not too far removed from the construction of the Tholsel itself.

A second building, the front wall of which still remains, was erected further west alongside Tholsel St. either later in the medieval period or in the post-medieval period. Both buildings survived until at least 1835 after which the site was significantly interfered with. A platform of mortar and stones over 1m thick cut through the foundation wall of the medieval building which adjoined the Tholsel and its function is unknown. Traces of this platform had been picked up during the testing but were interpreted as a wall. Sherds of earthenware were recovered from this feature giving it a firm post-medieval date. It must have been constructed after the building adjoining the Tholsel fell down (i.e. post 1835) and may have been the base for a retaining wall along the back of the site. Later the laying of a concrete floor destroyed most of the stratigraphy over the remainder of the site and some of the foundations of the later medieval/post-medieval building. No evidence was retrieved which could help secure the location of the town wall on the south side of the Tholsel. Presumably it linked in with the wall running along the eastern boundary of the site and turned south-eastwards along the line of the present churchyard wall alongside the road.

30 Laurence St., Drogheda, Co. Louth