County: Tipperary Site name: CLONMEL: 17 Market St.
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 83:19 Licence number: 95E0125
Author: Mary Henry
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 620145m, N 622350m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.352375, -7.704280
The archaeological excavation commenced on 23 June 1995 and was completed on 7 July 1995. The purpose of the excavation was to test the site prior to the development works.
The site is located in the eastern part of the medieval town. It is situated approximately 50m to the west of the eastern circuit of the medieval town wall. The market area, or what was locally referred to as the 'Shambles', was located immediately to the east and south-east of the site. However, the market was not always located in this part of Clonmel. In medieval times it was located at the junction of the town's three busiest streets. It was not until the early 1800s that the town's market area was moved to its final site in and around the vicinity of the excavation site.
The site was very extensively disturbed in recent times. Accordingly, medieval layers of archaeological significance no longer survived. The finds assemblage from the disturbed layers included local wares of post-medieval date and some imported wares from the southern part of England. However, the presence of modern stoneware, porcelain, delftware and glass bottles with the post-medieval assemblage indicates that much of the material on the site was redeposited in relatively recent times. There were no signs of occupational activity or debris on the site. There were no organic layers, oxidised material or house floors remaining. Two structures were found: the remains of a possible small cellar and a drystone storage chamber. It appeared that the structure was used as a storage chamber for perishable goods. The structure was oval, 2.8m long and had a maximum internal width of 0.98m at its southern end, tapering to 0.6m at its northern end. The fill in both features was of modern date. However, it was not possible to establish the date of construction of either structure. A very large quantity of animal bone was found throughout the site. The bone was probably waste from the nearby 'Shambles'.
1 Jervis Place, Clonmel, Co .Tipperary
