2005:1446 - MULLINAHONE: Carrick Street, Tipperary

Testing works were undertaken at Carrick Street, Mullinahone, as part of further information for planning permission to construct 25 houses and undertake associated site works. The development site was within the zone of archaeological potential for the town. A castle is located immediately to the north of the site and there is a chapel (site) within its confines. There is now no visible trace of this chapel and its location is cordoned off behind a railing fence. There is considerable confusion regarding the exact function of the chapel—whether it was associated with a monastery, or purely a diocesan chapel. If these ruins were part of a Templar complex, it is highly possible other subterranean remains were present within the locality. It was apparent the area in the immediate vicinity of the castle and an existing access road into the site had been extensively disturbed, resulting in the removal of the original strata. Therefore it was highly likely that any evidence pertaining to the above has been previously destroyed.

Twelve test-trenches were opened on the site. A substantial north–south-aligned ditch was discovered to the north and east of the chapel ruins. Although near the chapel, it was not considered to be associated with the ecclesiastical remains but pertained to earlier activity. This was based on the fact that, at present, there was no reasonable theory as to its function and why the linear ditch should be cut so close to the chapel. Given that it was not a field boundary marked on the 1843 first-edition OS map, and had no semblance in composition or dimension to either an agricultural furrow or drain, it must accordingly have archaeological significance pertaining to earlier human activity within this area.

Towards the eastern boundary two more substantial ditches were revealed. These trenches had been deliberately placed to investigate a distinct ridge extending on a slightly curvilinear alignment from north to south. Results of testing revealed this ridge might be an enclosing bank with ditches. It is possible they may be part of defensive features associated with either the castle and/or chapel. Although there is no record as to the presence of a town wall, it is possible the bank and ditches may form a boundary enclosing the settlement. On the other hand, they may be associated with much earlier activity. As with the other features discovered, no artefacts were found within any of the fills. The fill of the ditch was of a similar matrix to that contained within the ditches found near the eastern boundary of the site, suggesting a link between these features.

Testing revealed features of archaeological potential in the form of a number of ditches. Despite the absence of datable artefacts from these features, they are considered to be potentially significant. It is possible the features discovered in three of the test-trenches might be enclosing ditches associated with either the castle and chapel, or a settlement. The function of the other ditches remains unknown, although they are considered to be of archaeological significance.

17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary