County: Cork Site name: CORK: 17, 18, 19A Popes Quay/4–7 Hill Lane
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 00E0934
Author: Daniel Noonan for Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 567257m, N 572261m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.901545, -8.475804
Testing was carried out at 17, 18, 19A Popes Quay and 4–7 Hill Lane, Cork, as part of a pre-development assessment. Popes Quay is located in a riverside position on the north side of the northernmost channel of the River Lee. This extramural location has several known archaeological monuments in its environs—Shandon Castle, St Mary’s Church and its graveyard, and an early modern townhouse. The medieval suburb of Shandon is situated on a height to the north of the development. The building stock to be seen on the north side of the river is contemporaneous and has its origins in the expansion of urban development that occurred in Cork in the 18th century.
Apart from the standing buildings, the most prominent feature of the site was its topography. The street-front buildings on Popes Quay are at the base of an incline close to the level of the river. This incline climbs northwards in a steadily rising slope over a cut-back rock face, on the peak of which Shandon is sited. Historical and cartographic sources suggest that the rock face was cut back over time as development took place. Therefore, the purpose of the test excavation was twofold, in that by identifying any significant archaeological features on site, it was hoped it would also be possible to recognise deliberate activity relating to changes in the rock face.
Three trenches were opened to test two areas. Area 1 was a terraced area in the western end of the development site. Two test-trenches were excavated here, uncovering sediments of 18th-century date. A broken quernstone was recovered from the modern ground surface, beneath undergrowth. It is possible that this find was recently brought onto site, along with the large amount of domestic debris that littered the area.
Area 2 was a covered area that formerly operated as a glass factory, which fronted onto Popes Quay. A long trench with an east–west orientation was used to test this area. Again, sediments of 18th-century date were uncovered. Bedrock was uncovered at the western end of this trench.
Ballytrisnane, Old Parish, Co. Waterford
