1996:209 - KILKENNY: Smithwick's Brewery, 2 John Street, Kilkenny

An archaeological assessment was sought on the proposed site of a small fermentor block at the south side of the Smithwick's Brewery, Kilkenny. The site lies 100m from the remains of St Francis's Abbey, a registered National Monument. A small test-trench was opened in advance of the excavation for pile caps on 23 July 1996 to evaluate the archaeological presence on the site.

A trench, 4m long, was opened by JCB to a depth of 2.2m (this extended into sterile grey clay overlying a sandy clay and gravel with large cobbles). An old ground level was identified 1.4–1.5m below present ground level, suggesting that the area had been reclaimed. The overlying material used for the reclamation was crushed demolition rubble containing red brick sourced locally prior to the construction of the early brewery buildings.

In addition, decayed timbers, set on or just below the old ground level, were revealed in one section face of the trench. It was not clear whether the old ground level represents a horizon of archaeological potential, nor was it clear whether the timber identified in section had an archaeological derivation. However, the apparent horizontal position of the timber exposed suggests an archaeological derivation. Its date was not established. As the piles were in position and the excavation for the four caps should not penetrate to the sensitive level, no further archaeological recording was advised.

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