County: Antrim Site name: BALLYCASTLE: 47–51 Quay Street
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/06/193
Author: Christopher J. Farrimond, FarrimondMacManus Ltd.
Site type: Tannery
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 710991m, N 940983m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 55.203598, -6.256361
Test-trenching at a proposed development site at the Manor House, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, revealed two areas of previous building activity at the site, as well as identifying the location of a historically recorded tanning yard site.
Within the existing carpark area to the south-east of Manor House, Test-trenches 1 and 2 revealed an earlier cobbled surface directly below the current carpark levels, while a probable foundation level in the form of a clay/sand mix was identified beneath the cobbles. As there was no direct evidence for formal structural activity in this area, it is not clear whether this foundation level is related to the cobbled surface or other structural activity associated with the Soap Works (IHR7629) which occupied this portion of the site. Inspection of the first third-edition OS maps indicates that this portion of the site was not built upon during the period between 1832 and 1935, while the uncovering of an elongated pit filled with occupation debris suggests that any activity in this area may relate to earlier habitation activity at the site rather than industrial activity.
Test-trenches 3–11, located within the existing garden and carpark area to the rear of the Manor House, revealed the main focus of previous structural activity to be located towards the rear of the garden area along the south-east perimeter of the site. Here at least one large stone foundation wall was uncovered as were a number of smaller foundations. Inspection of the first-edition OS maps indicates that a rectangular building was located within this area of the development and, as such, this activity may be related to this buildings and thus date to at least 1832. Activity within the remainder of the garden area appeared to be confined to service trenches (i.e. drains and gas pipe) and a modern concrete floor level of uncertain function but that is depicted as a circular feature on the third-edition 1935 OS map.
Test-trenches 12–17, located within the walled garden area of the existing house plot, uncovered the remains of several wall foundations, substantial drainage and sewer activity and at least two large pits associated with leather production. Inspection of the first third-edition OS map indicates that several phases of building occurred within this area of the proposed development within a 100-year period. While no buildings were located within the area of Test-trench 12 from 1858 onwards, the first-edition OS map indicates that a building did exist in this area by 1832. Wall foundation F116, uncovered within Trench 12, may represent the east wall of this building. Given that a probable tanning pit was uncovered within Trench 12, which appeared to be associated with this wall, it is possible that the building shown on the first-edition OS map is part of the site of the unlocated tannery site (IHR 7630). The wall foundation recorded within Trench 15, also recorded as F116, may also relate to the second building recorded on the first-edition OS map located towards the south-east boundary of the site. Wall F118, recorded in both Trenches 14 and 15, may relate to the building depicted on the second-edition 1858 map, which shows a structure spanning the width of the walled garden at this point. This wall is also deposited within the third-edition 1935 OS map. The large red-brick culvert uncovered within Trench 15, while being a subterranean feature, may be the activity represented on the third-edition 1935 OS map within this portion of the site. Neither the well feature nor any building activity associated with the wall foundation uncovered within Trench 17 are depicted within either of the OS maps and, as such, may represent evidence for earlier or later activity at the site.
With the exception of the more substantial wall foundations, all other archaeological activity was covered with a deep demolition layer/infill layer, ranging from 0.4m to 2m in depth across the site.
Monitoring works are due to be undertaken at the site during the construction programme in early 2007.
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