2002:1557 - BIRR: 36–38 Main Street, Offaly

An assessment took place of 36–38 Main Street, in the heart of the urban centre of Birr. The origins of Birr have been associated with the foundation of the abbey of Biora by St Brendan in the 6th century. The impetus for the development of the town as seen today occurred in the early 17th century, when Birr was included as part of the plantation of Ely O’Carroll. In 1620 Laurence Parsons was granted the castle, settlement and lands of Birr, and he established it as the power base for the future earls of Rosse. The layout of the town appears to have its origin in the 17th century, with the development of a linear plan, now preserved by the axis of Main Street, that has roughly perpendicular offshoots to the east and west, in the form of Mill Lane, Shamble Lane and Fayle’s Lane (Heather A. King, Excavations 1991, No. 109).

Dominic Delany (Excavations 1997, No. 445, 97E0352) carried out test excavations almost directly opposite the current development site, on the eastern side of Main Street.

Four test-trenches were excavated. No features or finds of definite medieval date were uncovered. A possible paving layer was revealed in Trench 4, probably post-medieval. When taken in conjunction with the findings from across the road (Excavations 1997, No. 445), the paving layer is probably of 18th-century date. At the time of testing, the formation levels of the construction had not been finalised. It was recommended that all construction formation levels be kept above the paving identified in Trench 4; otherwise, further investigation would be necessary.

Ringwood, Summerfield, Youghal, Co. Cork