County: Limerick Site name: LIMERICK: 5–7 John's Gate
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 5:17 (part of) Licence number: 99E0362
Author: Celie O Rahilly, Limerick Corporation
Site type: Historic town
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 558135m, N 657076m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.663247, -8.618873
This site was at the eastern end of the south side of St John's Square, abutting the last house. It was within the town wall, to the west of the site of John's Gate. It was to have been tested with two cuttings.
However, on arrival at the site following the demolition on 5 August 1999, it was found that a machine cutting had already been opened without archaeological supervision. The trench was approximately central to the site. The western section was cleaned off and drawn at 1:10. A panel along the base of the section was also cleaned. In this, one sherd of local medieval pottery was found at the southern end. Tight against the base of the section was a small cavity through stones. This was not opened. A post-hole was 0.18m from the baulk, and there was a pit that was partially excavated. Three bands of layers were identified in the section. The upper one was post-medieval, and the next, identified by the pottery, was of medieval date. There were no finds from the lowest one.
Given the presence of such archaeological material, the decision was taken to omit the proposed cellar from the new development.
City Hall, Limerick
