1995:169 - KILKENNY: 'Bridge House', 88-89 John St., Kilkenny

An archaeological evaluation of a large site at 84–89 John St. Lower, Kilkenny, was carried out in two phases during May and August 1995. The preliminary report on the evaluation of the site comprised an inspection of the standing buildings at 88 and 89 John St. and an examination of mechanically excavated test-trenches throughout the long open garden area at the rear. Further test-trenches were opened to supplement the preliminary work, following a revision of the layout of the proposed development. At present the site is occupied by Bridge House, with a cobbled yard, coach-house and stables at the rear. The remainder of the site comprises two gardens bounded by stone walls. The proposed development includes refurbishment of Nos 88 and 89 John St. and redevelopment of the land to the rear of these buildings. The buildings of Nos 84–87 John St. are not included in the development.

The site is located on the east side of the river outside the medieval walled town, but within a walled suburb which originally formed part of the precincts of St John's Priory. Bridge House (Nos 88 and 89) incorporates an earlier stone medieval building, tentatively dated to the late 16th century on architectural grounds, although it may be earlier. In addition, the supposed line of the medieval suburb wall runs along the boundary in the modern property boundaries from the back of Bridge House via Kilkenny College to a small bastion beside No. 89 Maudlin St.

The OPW Urban Archaeological Survey records that Bridge House is thought to have been built by the Ormond Butlers, since Charles Butler, Earl of Arran, and brother to the 2nd Duke of Ormond, was in possession of the building in 1704. It was almost certainly the Butlers who rebuilt the house at the end of the century. The site on which the house stands is also thought to have once belonged to St John's Priory and was located within the priory walls. The priory was founded in 1211 by William Marshall for the Canons Regular of St Augustine (also called the Brethren of the Hospital of St John the Evangelist). The monks apparently had an earlier foundation near John's Bridge which continued in use until 1325. When the Priory was suppressed in 1540, the extensive property, including 'a church, belfry, and cemetery, a hall, dormitory, six chambers, a kitchen, store and granary' (Rocque, J., A survey of Kilkenny, 1758), was granted to the Corporation of Kilkenny. In 1645 the Priory was given to the Jesuit Order to establish a college on the site. They occupied the site until 1650. Later the house on this site became one of the dower houses of the Ormond family.

Bridge House (No. 89) has a fine 18th-century facade, but much of the fabric of the three other main walls is medieval to second-floor level. A three-storey, Georgian facade with seven steps leading to the double doorcase fronts onto John St. Access to the cobbled yard and outbuildings at the rear is gained through a groin-vaulted entrance. The 16th-century gable with several of the original, hood-moulded window surrounds can be clearly seen, incorporated into the back wall of the existing building. The 16th-century windows are blocked up.

The survey of the building included an inspection of the basement and the ground-floor level. In addition, selected sections of the upstanding walls were stripped of plaster to help identify the extent of the medieval remains.

On the basis of the preliminary survey three phases of building were tentatively identified. The test-trenching on the site has revealed the following.

(i) The open portion of the site behind Bridge House, in the garden area, has no archaeological remains or soils.
(ii) The present southern boundary wall is not the late medieval wall and no evidence for the wall was located during the site assessment: the exact line of the medieval wall was not established. It is proposed to construct a carpark in this area and any ground disturbance will require monitoring.
(iii) The cobbled yard covers the demolished remains of at least one red brick wall which probably dates to the 18th century. Of more significance is a second wall and associated cobbled surface 6m below the present cobbled surface which may date to the late medieval period. In addition, a scar of a wall on the south-east corner of the standing buildings suggests that other late medieval walls may lie beneath present ground level.
(iv) The demolished foundations occur in soils that are not rich in archaeological material (i.e. no habitation deposits were noted).

Further archaeological assessment will be needed in this area, in advance of any further ground disturbance in the yard area, to establish the nature, location and extent of any other late medieval walls.

The preservation in situ of the fabric of the original building will be sought under National Monuments Law and further assessment of proposals for the refurbishment of Bridge House is required.

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