County: Kilkenny Site name: KILKENNY: Kytlers Inn, 25–26 St Kierans St.
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 95E0062
Author: Margaret Gowen
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Late Medieval (AD 1100-AD 1599)
ITM: E 650439m, N 656543m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.657729, -7.254450
An archaeological assessment was undertaken, for planning purposes, at the rear of Kytlers Inn, where a new extension to the premises is proposed. This is an important medieval building with much of its primary fabric surviving; it is described by the OPW Urban Archaeological Survey as a two-storey over basement building, reputed to be where Alice Kytler lived in 1324. In the late 15th century it was owned by Kilkenny Corporation and served as an inn, and there are a number of references to rents paid for the property between 1473 and 1639. In 1702 it became the property of the Ormonds; it was restored in 1966 and is now a restaurant.
A total of six archaeological test-pits were opened across the site of the proposed extension in the yard at the back of the building. The preliminary testing revealed redeposited clays up to 1m deep.
No medieval stone structures were revealed within the brick-free rubble layer or across the area tested. Preliminary testing revealed a sequence of redeposited clays, dated by pottery to the 14th–15th century, which overlay a buildup of very well-preserved organic deposits. These may have a very early date.
The archaeological implications of the results are such that great care will have to be taken with the substructure of the new building to ensure minimal damage through the especially sensitive organic archaeological layers. A light piled foundation was suggested for the two-storey extension and the guiding principle in the design was to have as few interactions with the existing building as possible.
Rath House, Ferndale Rd, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin
