County: Limerick Site name: ADARE MANOR, Adare
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 21:32 Licence number: —
Author: Celie O Rahilly, Limerick Corporation
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 546761m, N 646146m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.564020, -8.785237
It was proposed to carry out percolation testing in the grounds of Adare Manor in the area of a proposed treatment plant within the zone of archaeological potential as defined by both the Urban Survey and the Recorded Monuments Map. Unlicensed monitoring of the work was carried out.
Initially an area measuring 2m east-west by 1.7m and 0.6m deep was opened. Eleven sherds of medieval pottery were recovered from the spoil, and the work was stopped. Also noted in the southern section of the cutting were a possible pit or ditch and a deposit of possible ash, charcoal, animal bone and some stones.
A second attempt was made to do a cutting c. 80m south of the first. This was 1.9m north-south by 0.8m and was 0.2m deep. On removal of the sod two sherds, one broken base and one glazed body sherd, were recovered. The work was stopped.
Between the two cuttings and in the area around is a series of low mounds, which may reflect features relating to a medieval settlement. A possible barrow noted during the field-walking lay to the north-east, and a medieval building (?tower) is to the north-north-west.
City Hall, Limerick
