1998:370 - PORTLAOISE GAOL AND COURTHOUSE, Portlaoise, Laois

Archaeological testing and monitoring were carried at the courthouse and old gaol, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, from December 1997 to February 1998. Thaddeus Breen had investigated three areas under this licence in 1996 (Excavations 1996, 62–3). Two areas were investigated during this current phase.

Trench 3 was dug in the south-west corner of the courtyard. It produced evidence of cellars associated with the courthouse and a cobbled area (pre-dating the present courthouse). The cobbled area was found to be quite extensive, as cobbles were found during monitoring in the courtyard area of the site to the south.

Trench 1 was dug outside the north-east gable of the gaol. A building had been recently demolished here. It produced a cobbled area that may be associated either with the building or with the other cobbles on the site previously mentioned.

During monitoring of foundation trenches in the courtyard six skeletons were discovered. They were orientated roughly north-south, and all but one had their heads to the south. All skeletons were supine, with evidence of coffins. Skeletons 75 and 81 were complete. Skeleton 73's feet were truncated by a wall to the south. Skeleton 79 had been disturbed by the foundation trench to the east. Skeleton 77 was truncated from the pelvis up. Skeleton 91 was truncated from the patellae up.

From the location of the surviving nails it can be suggested that the coffins were built of several pieces of wood tacked onto a frame. The coffin of Skeleton 75 seems to have had a thin iron band down the centre of the lid, which may have served to keep the coffin together or may have been a decorative strip. Evidence in support of the latter was found when, on closer examination of the metal, an impressed flower motif and swirls were noted. This gives the impression that some care was taken in the construction of the coffin. This is contrary to the impression given by the feet (they were squashed into the coffins) and the incorrect orientation. Perhaps the metal band was reused. It can be suggested that the coffins were built to a standard size as consideration was not given to individuals' dimensions.

The fills produced post-medieval pottery sherds, glass and animal bone. The only directly associated finds were a copper-alloy shroud-pin on Skeleton 73 and the coffin nails and metal.

Further monitoring did not reveal anything of archaeological significance.

Wood Road, Cratloekeel, Co. Clare